If you are in immediate danger, CALL 911.
If you are in immediate danger, CALL 911.
These state-specific guides are designed to help you navigate the complexities of post-conviction case activity, explaining what can happen after a conviction and highlighting the ongoing rights victims have throughout the post-conviction process.
Crime victims and survivors are often led to believe that a criminal case ends once a person has been convicted. In many cases, this is not true.
It is important for all victims and survivors, especially in cases involving violent crime and long prison sentences, to understand that the case may continue long after a trial, plea, or sentencing. This is called post-conviction case activity or post-conviction process. It is also important for victims and survivors to know that victims’ rights continue, too.
This online resource exists to help you better understand all of the things that can happen after a conviction and to help you understand the rights you have as a crime victim and survivor throughout this continuing case activity.
Below, you can access specific information about post-conviction processes in your state by clicking on the name of that state.
To help you better use this state-by-state resource, here is a glossary of terms used throughout this site.
The information provided in this resource is not intended as legal advice and is current only as of September 2025. States regularly change how they handle criminal proceedings and victims’ rights during those proceedings. Confirm with the state agencies provided in the state-specific summaries for more up-to-date information. Different stages and different victims’ rights may apply to certain types of cases and certain types of victims, such as cases involving accused individuals who are minors and cases involving sexual offenses, domestic violence, and child victims. Here are the state citations for reference.