The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

The ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (also known as the DPP) are the department responsible for prosecuting crimes in the ACT. If the DPP is prosecuting a crime that you were a victim of, you have the right to be informed about decisions they are making and have your needs considered.

Making decisions about prosecutions

Although the DPP doesn’t directly represent victims of crime, when they are deciding whether to continue prosecuting the offence or to accept a guilty plea for a lesser charge, they must seek and consider your views.

Making a victim impact statement

Victims of certain crimes can make a statement to the court which describes the impact that the crime has had on them. If you ask the DPP, they must tell you about whether you can make a victim impact statement, what this statement should contain and how it will be used by the Court.

Going to Court

If you are required to go to Court, the DPP must tell you about the process and your rights and responsibilities at Court. If you are worried about experiencing violence or harassment by the offender or their family or friends in Court, you can tell the DPP. They must minimise your exposure to that person or those people in the Court building.

Outcome of the trial

If you ask, the DPP must tell you about the outcome of a trial, including what sentence was given by the Court and whether the offender can appeal the decision.

Making a reparation order

If you suffered loss or incurred expenses as a result of the crime, you can ask the DPP to request a reparation order. This is an order that the offender must pay money to you or otherwise repair the injury caused by the offence. If the DPP does not request a reparation order, they must explain why.

If you think that the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) have not respected your rights as a victim of crime, you should call the ACT Human Rights Commission on (02) 6205 2222.

There are some exceptions to these rights, but our team can talk to you about your particular situation and help you to decide if you should make a victims’ rights complaint.

You can find more information about the particular rights that the DPP must respect in the Victims of Crime Act 1994 (ACT).