Victims Assistance
If you are a victim, we may be able to help by:
- Informing you of your rights as a victim.
- Providing in-court support.
- Helping you prepare for and accompanying you to court.
- Facilitating appointments and accompanying you when meeting with the prosecuting attorney.
- Assistance filing Restraining and Stalking Orders.
- Provide information about the status of your case.
- Making referrals to public and private social service agencies for food, clothing, shelter, and treatment.
- Assist in seeking restitution for financial losses.
- Verifying and documenting your financial losses so that the court can order the offender to pay restitution.
- 24-hour Crisis Intervention to assist with emergency resources.
Victim’s General Rights:
Under the Crime Victims Bill of Rights, you have the certain legal rights as a victim of a crime. (Add something about specific rights and crimes and contacting our office)
YOU have the right:
- to know who is contacting you in regard to your case;
- to be in the courtroom during all hearings and the trial of your case;
- to be informed of changes of court dates and hearings;
- to be consulted regarding plea negotiations in cases of violent felonies;
- to have a court hearing if you are harassed or bothered by the defendant;
- to request restitution for your injuries suffered (should be do a more general rest. right?)
- to request information regarding the defendant's;
- to refuse to consent to an interview by defendant or defendant's agents;
- to be notified, at your request, before the defendant is released from prison;
- to request and provide the Parole Board with an address to be notified if the defendant is appearing before the Patrol Board;
- to request a copy of the court transcript or tape of all criminal proceedings heard in the record, the Court may charge for actual cost to produce the transcript.
- to appear personally and give a victim impact statement at sentencing.
In sex abuse cases you have specific rights you may request:
- the court to limit the use of sexually explicit information or recording describing a sex offense.
- the person charged and convicted in your case get HIV testing.
