Victim Services

PSRB Info Sheet for Victims and Their Families

Under Oregon law, when a person is found guilty except for insanity (GEI) or responsible except for insanity (REI), the judge is required to ask the victim whether he or she wishes to be notified of future hearings or releases relating to the defendant and if so, include victim contact information in the court order that places a defendant under PSRB jurisdiction. The Board then is required to provide notice in advance of any hearing regarding that individual.

In 2009, the Oregon Legislature expanded victim’s rights to include post-conviction proceedings.  This legislation explicitly put into law the right for victims or representatives to have the opportunity to be heard and to make a victim impact statement at the end of a PSRB hearing.  It is helpful if anyone wishing to make a statement coordinate this with the Oregon Department of Justice Appellate Victim Advocate. The advocate can assist you with logistics, travel plans, phone appearances or written appearances as well as support and counseling.  Please contact the advocate as early as possible before the hearing date.

Updating Victim Address and Phone Number

Oftentimes, the court order placing a client under the PSRB does not have complete victim contact information.  In these cases, PSRB staff make every effort to obtain victim contact information by consulting the county victim advocate where the defendant was found GEI or REI. In order to ensure notification documents are being sent to the proper address victims who informed the court that they want to be notified of future proceedings should contact PSRB staff to confirm their contact information is correct.

Additionally, at any time after the court proceeding, if a victim decides he or she wishes to be notified of future hearings or release of a client, the victim should contact the PSRB.  He or she may provide the client name, the victim name and current mailing address by phone, fax, postal service or email.

If at any time a victim’s mailing address changes, the victim should notify the Board directly of the new address in order to continue to receive such notices.

ALL CONTACT INFORMATION WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND USED FOR NOTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY.

We now offer electronic notifications - please call our office at 503-229-5596 to arrange for e-notices.

Oregon Department of Justice:

    Jennifer Braaten

    Crime Victim & Survivor Services Division / Appellate Advocacy Program

    Oregon Department of Justice

    Phone: 503-378-6795 (available 24/7 for messages)

    Email: aap@doj.state.or.us

DOJ Appellate Advocacy Program

DOJ Crime Victims' Rights