Know Your Rights

Your rights in the state of Tennessee

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You have the right to have an advocate present at any stage of the proceedings

• Advocates can accompany you to the medical exam, law enforcement interviews, and/or consultations with legal representative

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You have the right to have a support person of your choice present during any stage of the proceedings

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You have a right to be interviewed by a law enforcement officer of the gender of your choosing 

• If it is possible for the agency to accommodate the request

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You have the right to choose a hold kit

• You do NOT have to report the sexual assault or meet/speak with law enforcement to have a sexual assault exam

• Hold kits are maintained in evidence for 10 years 

• You may choose to prosecute the case at any time within 10 years

• You will be contacted/informed that the kit is going to be destroyed/disposed of when the 10 years is up

• You may request the kit be held for an additional 12 months

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You have the right to the the tracking number assigned to your sexual assault kit

• You can check the progress of your kit at any point by visiting TBI SAMS-Track & entering your sexual assault kit number

• You will be informed of a change in the status of the case, and if the case has been closed

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You have the right to request information regarding whether or not a DNA sample was obtained from your kit.