Compensation
State of Indiana Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Program
If you are the victim of a violent crime, you may be eligible for compensation through this fund. Requirements include: the crime must have taken place in the state of Indiana, it must have been reported to law enforcement within 48 hours of its occurrence unless a good reason exists for it not to have been reported, the victim or survivors must have been cooperative in the investigation of the crime and application for benefits must be filed no later than 180 days after the crime occurred. Filing deadline may be waived for child sexual abuse claims. For additional information, call the Victim Services Division of the Criminal Justice Institute at (800) 353-1484.
Other Compensation For Crime Victims
Many victims are interested in how they can be compensated for financial losses that they suffered as a result of a crime. In the criminal justice system, compensation for victims is called restitution. The mandatory Restitution Act of 1996 established procedures for determining the amount of restitution to which a victim may be entitled. Under federal law for most types of crimes, it is mandatory that a defendant, if convicted, be ordered to pay full restitution related to offenses s/he is found guilty of. Orders of restitution follow a defendant for twenty years post incarceration.