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VICTIM AND WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The United
States Attorney's Office Middle District of Alabama is dedicated to
making sure that victims of federal crime are treated with compassion,
fairness, and respect by properly including them in the criminal justice
system. The Federal Victim/Witness Assistance Program carries out
the mandates of the Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982,
the Crime Control Act of 1990 and the Violent Crime Control and Law
Enforcement Act of 1994.
The
Victim/Witness Coordinator provides a variety of notification and
assistance services to victims and witnesses of federal crime.
Crime
Victims Bill of Rights
A federal
crime victim has the following rights:
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The
right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's
dignity and privacy; |
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The
right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender; |
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The
right to be notified of court proceedings; |
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The
right to be present at all public court proceedings related
to the offense, unless the court determines that testimony by
the victim would be materially affected if the victim heard
other testimony at the trial; |
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The
right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the
case; |
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The
right to restitution; |
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The
right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment,
and release of the offender. |
Notification
Services
When
a federal criminal case reaches the prosecution stage of the criminal
justice process, notification services are provided concerning the
status of the case involving the victim or witness. If requested
by the victim or witness, the following notifications may be made:
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The
release of detention status of an offender pending judicial
proceedings; or the placement in a pretrial diversion program,
and the conditions thereof; |
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The
filing of charges against a suspected offender, or the proposed
dismissal of any or all charges, including dismissal in favor
of state prosecution; |
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The
scheduling, including changes and/or continuances, of each court
proceeding that the victim or witness is either required to
attend or entitled to attend; |
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The
terms of any negotiated plea, including the acceptance of a
plea of guilty or nolo contenders or the rendering of a verdict
after trial; |
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The
opportunity to present to the court in the presentence report
a victim impact statement containing information concerning
any harm, including financial, social, psychological and physical
harm, done to or loss suffered by the victim of the crime; |
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The
date set for sentencing if the offender is found guilty; and
the sentence imposed; |
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Entry
of the victim or witness, if appropriate, into the Bureau of
Prisons Victim and Witness Notification Program; and |
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With
respect to victims of violent crime and sexual abuse, the date
set for sentencing and the victim's opportunity to make a statement
or present any information to the court in relation to the sentence. |
Other
Assistance Services
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To
the extent possible, provide victims and witnesses with a waiting
area removed from the offender and defense witnesses during
court proceedings; |
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Provide
support and assistance to victims and witnesses during court
appearances or arrange for same; |
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Upon
request by a victim or witness, provide assistance in notifying
the employer if cooperation in the investigation or prosecution
of the crime causes his/her absence from work; and the creditors;
where appropriate, if the crime or cooperation in the investigation
or prosecution affects his/her ability to make timely payments; |
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Routinely
provide information or assistance concerning transportation,
parking, lodging, translator and related services; |
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Provide
referrals to other agencies for shelter, counseling, compensation,
and other types of assistance services where needed. |
Links
Alabama
Crime Victims Compensation Commission
Office
for Victims of Crime
National
Organization for Victim Assistance
The
National Center for Victims of Crime
Office
on Violence Against Women
Contact
Information
Jackie
Vickers
Victim/Witness Coordinator
United States Attorney's Office
(334) 223-7280 (Office)
(334) 328-9673 (Cell)
(334) 223-7560 (Fax)
Jackie.Vickers@usdoj.gov
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