(a) The prosecuting attorney shall confer with the victim prior to the final disposition of a criminal offense, including the views of the victim regarding a decision not to proceed with a criminal prosecution or a decision to dismiss a charge or to enter into plea or sentencing agreements or the victim’s views regarding a decision to enter a pretrial or other type of diversion program.
criminal case

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 40-38-114

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) The prosecuting attorney shall confer with the victim before the commencement of a trial. Any information received by the victim relating to the substance of the case shall be confidential, unless otherwise authorized by law or required by the courts to be disclosed.
(c) The rights of the victim do not include the authority to direct the prosecution of the case.
(d) Failure of the prosecuting attorney to confer with the victim does not affect the validity of an agreement between the prosecutor and the defendant in the case, a pretrial diversion of the defendant, a dismissal of an indictment or complaint filed against the defendant, a plea entered by the defendant or any other disposition in the case.
(e) Under this section, the victim has a duty to keep current information regarding the victim’s location so the prosecuting attorney may be able to contact the victim. If the prosecuting attorney is unable to contact the victim due to the victim’s failure to keep current information regarding the victim’s location, the prosecuting attorney may only confer with the victim if practical under the circumstances.
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