Sheriff's Office

Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE)

Victim/Witness Program

The Victim/Witness Assistance Program was created to respond to the needs and enforce the rights of victims and witnesses of crimes. The program will ensure sensitive crisis assistance, speedy recovery in cases of compensable financial losses, and a reduction of physical and emotional suffering of innocent crime victims. We are aware that victims and witnesses have special needs, and our program is available to assist with information and referrals for services.

CALL THE VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AT (757) 382-6417 IF:

• You would like to file for Crime Victims' Compensation
• You have questions about your role as a witness
• You would like someone to escort you to court
• You would like an explanation of court procedures or a tour of the courtroom before you testify
• You need assistance in preparing your victim impact statement
• You need referrals for medical or psychological assistance
• You need interpreter services
• You need employer services
• You have questions abour restitution
• You would like advance notification of judicial proceedings
• You inquire about release notification of offender
• You inquire about closed preliminary hearings for certain sexual offenses
• You inquire about protection available to victims and witnesses of crime
• You inquire about closed circuit TV in certain offenses

ENTITLEMENTS

If you are the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to the following:

• Protection:
  • Physical protection while your case is pending
  • Separate waiting area while your case is being heard
• Financial Assistance:
  • Prompt return of property being held as evidence at the conclusion of the case
  • Information about filing for Crime Victim's Compensation
• Notification:
  • Employer contact to ensure that you are not penalized for appearing in court
  • Case status and disposition information on your case
  • Notification from a local jail or the penitentiary of the convicted assailant's release or name change
  • Notification from the Attorney General's Office of an appeal being granted
• Victim Input:
  • Submission of a victim impact statement after defendant's conviction
  • Ability to remain in courtroom during your case, unless excluded as a material witness
• Courtroom Assistance:
  • Confidentiality of your address, phone number and place of employment
  • Provision of an interpreter during court proceedings

PLEA AGREEMENTS

In felony cases, if the defendant pleads guilty, a trail will not be required and you will not have to testify. In some cases, the prosecuting attorney may agree to modify the charges or recommend that a defendant receive a certain sentence in return for a plea of guilty. The prosecutor will try to contact the victim of the crime before reaching a plea agreement.

In the event you do not understand the plea agreement decided upon, ask the prosecutor or contact the Victim Witness Program.

RESTITUTION

The defendant can be ordered by the court to pay the victim restitution. If the victim has had medical costs, damage or loss resulting from an offense, the court may order that the victim be reimbursed by the defendant. You may list your cost when filling out the Victim Impact Statement.

CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION

Realizing the need for governmental financial assistance for crime victims or their survivors, the Commonwealth of Virginia compensates those people. Persons are eligible if:

• Injured trying to prevent a crime of apprehending a criminal
• Physically injured as a result of a crime
• Responsible for medical and/or funeral expenses of a victim

A maximum award of up to $15,000.00 is available to pay for the following expenses if they are not paid by other sources.

• A victim's medical expenses
• The victim's unreimbursed wage loss based on 2/3 of the wages up to a maximum of $200.00 per week based on 2/3 of the victim's average weekly wage
• If death occurs as the result of the crime, legal dependents may be entitled to benefits up to $200.00 per week based on the victim's average weekly wage
• Funeral/burial expenses up to $2,000.00
• Other reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as a result of crime, such as prescriptions, mileage to doctors, eyeglasses, etc.

In order for payment to be made, the crime must be promptly reported and you have to fully cooperate with the police.

VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT

If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty, a Victim Impact Statement may be submitted by the victim(s) of certain crimes at the time of the sentencing until a presentence investigation is completed. The pre- sentence report provides the judge with information about the defendant's background. You as the victim have the right to complete the Victim Impact Statement in which you may describe the impact the crime has had on your life. Your statement will be considered by the judge in the determination of an appropriate sentence of the defendant. The Victim Impact Statement form can be obtained from your Victim Witness Program or the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. The form must be filled out and returned to your Victim Witness Office or your prosecuting attorney, NO LATER THAN 15 DAYS BEFORE THE SENTENCING DATE.