Helping Crime Victims
Tennessee law provides that "All victims of crime shall, upon their request, have the right to be fully informed of the stages in the appellate process and how to obtain information concerning appellate action that has an effect on the defendant's conviction or sentence and the date a defendant's sentence becomes final." Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-38-103(a)(1)(F).
In the District Attorneys General's offices throughout the state, crime victims and family members work with victim-witness coordinators during the trial and sentencing of defendants.
A person convicted of a crime has the right to appeal, and the Tennessee Attorney General's office represents the State of Tennessee in these appeals. Our Victim Liaisons provide information and assistance to crime victims and their families as these cases make their way through the appeals process.
Please note that the Attorney General’s office only handles criminal cases on appeal following the defendant’s conviction in trial court. If you are a victim of an unreported crime, you should contact your local law enforcement agency. If the crime has been reported but you are still awaiting resolution of the case in the trial court, you should contact your local district attorney’s office. You may find your district attorney’s contact information at the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference website.