Order Publications
Print this PagePublic Protection
The Minnesota Legislature delegated the authority to investigate criminal matters to the county sheriff and, in some circumstances, the municipal police department. It delegated the authority to prosecute criminal matters to the county attorney. It did not delegate such authority to this Office.
If you are a victim of crime, you should immediately contact your local police or county sheriff. Telephone numbers for these offices are available here and here. In cases of emergency, dial 911. Crime victims may also contact their county attorney’s office. Telephone numbers for these offices are available here. Federal authorities may also have some authority to investigate and prosecute criminal activity. You may report such crimes to the following federal agencies, as appropriate:
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Minneapolis Office
1501 Freeway Boulevard
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
(763) 569-8000
www.fbi.gov
United States Postal Inspection Service
Criminal Investigation Service Center
433 W Harrison Street, Room 3255
Chicago, IL 60699
(877) 876-2455
www.postalinspectors.uspis.gov
Crime Victim Rights.
Crime victim’s participation in the criminal justice process is important. Crime victims are afforded specific rights by state and federal law. Most often those rights remain unknown until a person learns that, as a consequence of the criminal acts of another, they are a crime victim. Services are available to assist crime victims with understanding their rights, ensure their participation in the criminal justice process, and maintain communication between the victim and the victim service provider. To learn more about your rights as a crime victim, click here.
Crime Victim Justice Unit.
Crime victims who believe their rights have been violated or that they have been treated unfairly by the criminal justice system can contact the Crime Victim Justice Unit at the Department of Public Safety for assistance or to file a complaint. Complaint forms are available here. For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Crime Victim Justice Unit as follows:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Office of Justice Programs
Crime Victim Justice Unit
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2300
St. Paul, MN 55101
(888) 622-8799 or (651) 201-7300
www.dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp
Crime Victims Reparations Board.
The Crime Victims Reparations Board is a program that helps crime victims with financial losses and recovery from violent crime. A claim for payment of costs (such as medical care, counseling, lost wages, child care, or funeral expenses) incurred by crime victims as a result of a violent crime may be submitted to the Crime Victims Reparations Board for compensation. Reparations are not available to compensate crime victims for property losses. The crime must have been reported to law enforcement when it occurred. The crime victim must file a claim with the Crime Victims Reparations Board within three years of the incident. Claim forms are available here. For more information or to file a claim, contact the Crime Victims Reparations Board as follows:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Office of Justice Programs
Crime Victims Reparations Board
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2300
St. Paul, MN 55101
(888) 622-8799 or (651) 201-7300
www.dps.mn.gov/divisions/ojp
Minnesota Department of Corrections.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections provides additional information and resources for crime victims, including an offender locator search tool, which is available here. For more information, you may contact the Department of Corrections as follows:
Minnesota Department of Corrections
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55108
(651) 361-7200
www.doc.state.mn.us
Additional Resources
The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office offers the following materials, which are designed to provide information to Minnesotans on issued related to public protection:
