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Victim/Witness Assistance

Services

Victim/Witness assistance for the United States Attorneys Office, District of Nebraska, provides services, support, and education to victims and witnesses of federal crimes. Staff is committed to ensuring that victims and witnesses are treated with fairness and respect and receive information and assistance for relevant services. Some of those services include notification of significant court events, referral to appropriate support services, reasonable protection from the accused, help determining and requesting restitution, and the return of property and information concerning the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender. Witnesses, upon request, will be notified of significant court events, convictions, and sentences. Witnesses are offered support through trial, preparation of travel arrangements, and special services, as appropriate. MaKayla Heard serves as Victim Assistance Specialist for the District of Nebraska.

Victim Rights
 

As a crime victim, you have the following rights under 18 United States Code § 3771:

(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.

We will make our best efforts to ensure you are accorded the rights described.

You also have the right to seek the advice of an attorney concerning these rights and your assertion of these rights in federal district court. Be advised that the law does not require providing information that may endanger the safety of any person.
 

Programs
  • Crime Victims’ Rights Act Compliance
    • Affording Rights to Victims of Federal Cases
      • District Wide
      • Native American Reservations
    • Referrals to Services
    • Indian Country MDT Meetings
       
  • District-Wide Training on Issues Surrounding Crime Victims’ Rights & Services
     
  • Nebraska Crime Victim’s Reparations
    • The Nebraska Crime Victim’s Reparations (CVR) program assists eligible victims of compensable crimes who incur medical, dental, mental health expenses, funeral costs, or have other financial losses due to a criminal act. Click to learn more about the CVR program and eligibility guidelines.  https://ncc.nebraska.gov/crime-victim-reparations
       
  • VNS Management
  • Emergency Witness Assistance Progrom (EWAP) Requests
     
  • Witness Management Oversight
    • Information for Witnesses in Federal Criminal Proceedings

 

 

Related Links
 

Office for Victims of Crime
U.S. Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Criminal Division

Nebraska Coalition for Victims of Crime
 

Contact Us

MaKayla Heard, Victim Assistance Specialist

(402) 661-3700
(800) 889-9124

Updated January 29, 2024