If you are the victim of a crime, you have the right to know what's happening with your case and the offender.

Your Rights as a Victim

If you’ve been the victim of a violent crime, you deserve to know what’s happening with your case and the offender. You have legal rights to stay informed about the offender’s conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release. These rights are protected by the Texas Constitution. 

How Texas VINE Can Help You Stay Informed

Texas Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) is a free, secure service to   automatically notify registered persons via a toll-free number and website of suspect/offender status and court event changes. Here's how it can help:

  • 24/7 Notifications: VINE sends automatic notifications in English or Spanish whenever one of the following situations occurs:
    • The suspect/offender is booked or released
    • A court event has been set or changed
    • A change in custody status, such as death, escape, or transferred to TDCJ  custody
  • Access to Case Information: You can get information about the offender’s criminal case.
  • Secure & Confidential: Your information is kept private while you receive notifications.
  • Website Access: Visit the Texas VINE website anytime to search for offenders in custody, access services, or receive general guidance without registering.

How to Contact Texas VINE

You can reach out to Texas VINE in a variety of ways to get the support you need:

  • Online: Visit the Texas VINE website to search for offenders or find victim services in your area.
  • Phone Support (24/7): Call (877) TX4-VINE (894-8463) for help in over 200 languages. You can talk to a live operator for assistance with offender information, registering for updates, or finding victim services.
  • TDCJ Victim Services: If the offender is in the custody of the  TDCJ, you can contact their Victim Services Division at (800) 848-4294 for additional support.

Important to Remember

While Texas VINE is a valuable tool to help you stay informed, it is not a guarantee of safety. It's important to always take additional steps to protect yourself, and to reach out to local crime victim service providers at your district attorney’s office, law enforcement agency, or supervising agency for further support.

Not all Texas counties are set up with VINE. Check the Texas VINE website to see if your county participates.