🐘 Alabama Victim Rights & Resources
If you are a survivor of crime, abuse, or professional misconduct in the state of Alabama, this guide connects you with your legal rights, complaint pathways, and support services.
🚫 This guide is not a substitute for legal advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 or reach out to a crisis hotline listed on our Support and Help page. While we strive to provide accurate, current information, laws and agency procedures may change. Always verify details directly with official sources or consult a licensed attorney in your area.
📜 Your Rights Under Alabama Law
Alabama law grants crime victims the right to:
- Be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect
- Be informed of all critical proceedings
- Be present at court proceedings and confer with prosecutors
- Receive restitution from the offender
- Be protected from the accused throughout the criminal justice process
🔗 Alabama Crime Victims’ Rights – Alabama Attorney General
📂 Public Records & Documentation
Victims in Alabama may request access to:
- Police reports
- 911 call logs and recordings
- Court documents
- Body/dash cam footage (where applicable)
💡 Reference Alabama’s Open Records Act. Submit requests in writing and retain copies of all communications.
🏥 Requesting Medical Records
Under HIPAA and Alabama law, you may request:
- Your own records
- A minor’s records (if you are the legal guardian)
- Records of a deceased individual (if authorized)
🔗 How to File a HIPAA Complaint (HHS.gov)
🧑⚕️ Reporting Licensed Healthcare Providers
Alabama Board of Medical Examiners:
https://www.albme.gov
Alabama Board of Nursing:
https://www.abn.alabama.gov
Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners:
http://socialwork.alabama.gov
Alabama Department of Mental Health – Provider Complaints:
https://mh.alabama.gov
⚠️ Always document the complaint process. Save confirmation emails, print your submission, and maintain a copy of your records.
💰 Victim Compensation in Alabama
The Alabama Crime Victims’ Compensation Commission (ACVCC) provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime.
You may qualify for coverage of:
- Medical or dental treatment
- Counseling
- Funeral or burial expenses
- Lost income or support
- Relocation expenses due to safety concerns
Eligibility requirements:
- Report the crime to law enforcement within 72 hours (unless good cause is shown)
- Cooperate with authorities
- Apply within one year from the date of the crime
🔗 Alabama Crime Victims’ Compensation Commission
📞 1-800-541-9388
🤝 VOCA-Funded Services in Alabama
VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funds are distributed to local agencies through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).
🔗 Alabama VOCA Victim Assistance Program 📞 ADECA VOCA Division: (334) 242-0493
Your story matters. You have the right to protection, support, and legal pathways to reclaim your power. You’re not alone.
