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Victim And Witness Assistance Program

The United States Attorney's Office for the 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.

Quick Links:
Victim Notification
Contact The Victim-Witness Coordinator
Federal Crime Victims' Rights
Understanding Your Rights and the Federal Court System
Crime Victims' Complaint Form
Notification Service
Other Assistant Services
Links

 

Victim / Witness Coordinator Contact Information

The Victim-Witness Coordinator provides a variety of notification and assistance services to victims and witnesses of federal crime.

Jackie Vickers
U.S. Attorney's Office
131 Clayton Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Telephone: (334) 223-7280
Cell Phone: (334) 328-9673
Fax: (334) 223-7560
Email: Jackie.Vickers@usdoj.gov

 

Federal Crime Victims' Rights

A federal crime victim has the following rights:

  1. The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.

  2. The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.

  3. The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.

  4. The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.

  5. The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.

  6. The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.

  7. The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.

  8. The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.

  9. The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.

  10. The right to be informed of the rights under this section and the services described in section 503(c) of the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 10607(c)) and provided contact information for the Office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice.

 

Complaint Form

Alleging Failure of Department of Justice Employee To Provide Rights to a Crime Victim under the Crime Victims' Act of 2004. Please download and complete the complaint form below.

Complaint Form in English (PDF)
Complaint Form in Spanish (PDF)

 

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:

  • The release of detention status of an offender pending judicial proceedings; or the placement in a pretrial diversion program, and the conditions thereof;

  • The filing of charges against a suspected offender, or the proposed dismissal of any or all charges, including dismissal in favor of state prosecution;

  • 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;

  • 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;

  • 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;

  • The date set for sentencing if the offender is found guilty; and the sentence imposed;

  • Entry of the victim or witness, if appropriate, into the Bureau of Prisons Victim and Witness Notification Program;

  • 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

  • To the extent possible, provide victims and witnesses with a waiting area removed from the offender and defense witnesses during court proceedings;

  • Provide support and assistance to victims and witnesses during court appearances or arrange for same;

  • 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;

  • Routinely provide information or assistance concerning transportation, parking, lodging, translator and related services;

  • Provide referrals to other agencies for shelter, counseling, compensation, and other types of assistance services where needed.
 

Links

Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission
National Organization for Victim Assistance
The National Center for Victims of Crime
Office on Violence Against Women
Justice for All Act (PDF)
Alabama Victim Providers Directory (PDF)

Updated January 18, 2023