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Victim Witness

The United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Michigan, administers a program to assist the victims and witnesses of Federal crimes. Federal crimes where assistance may be provided include bank and postal robberies, child pornography, financial crimes surrounding telemarketing and investment fraud, identity theft, hate crimes, as well as homicides, sexual assault, and child abuse, if the crime occurred on federal land.

Victims' Rights

Victims have certain rights under Title 18 USC Section 3771 :

  • The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.
  • The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
  • The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.
  • The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
  • The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.
  • The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.
  • 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.
Victims' Resources

Office for Victim of Crime

Information and resources for victims in need of assistance.
Includes a comprehensive list of toll free numbers
www.crimevictims.gov

National Center for Victims of Crime
See “Get Help Series” - 1-800-FYI-CALL
1-800-394-2255
www.victimsofcrime.org

National Organization for Victim Assistance
1-800- TRY-NOVA
1-800-879-6682
www.try-nova.org

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
1-800-THE LOST (1-800-843-5678)
www.missingkids.com

Childhelp USA
National Child Abuse Hotline
1-8004-A-CHILD
www.childhelpusa.org

Michigan Child Protective Services
Lists protective service agencies by Michigan counties
www.michigan.gov/mddhs

National Domestic Violence hotline
800-799-SAFE (7233)
www.ndvh.org

Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Lists resources for victims and domestic violence shelters
517-347-7000
www.mcadsv.org

Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board
517-373-8144
www.michigan.gov/mddhs

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
303-839-1852
www.ncadv.org

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Hotline, crisis counseling, referrals.

1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
www.rainn.org

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Disaster Relief Information.

http://www.samhsa.gov/

Federal Bureau of Prisons
www.bop.gov

Parents of Murdered Children
www.pomc.org

Mothers Against Drunk Driving
www.madd.org

National Eldercare
www.eldercare.gov

Fraud Reporting in Michigan - contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Office and/or your local police department.

Michigan Attorney General’s Office
Consumer complaint directory
- 877-765-8388
www.michigan.gov/ag

Identity Theft Resource Center - 1888-400-5530
Toll Free, No cost & Victim Assistance
www.idtheftcenter.org/

Federal Trade Commission Clearinghouse
Learn about identity theft and what to do if it occurs.

IdentityTheft.gov or RobodeIdentidad.gov (for Spanish speakers)

Internet Fraud Information Center
Report telemarketing or internet fraud.

800-876-7060
www.fraud.org

Medicare Fraud Hotline
1-800-HHS-TIPS
www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/report-fraud-and-abuse/fraud-and-abuse.html

Social Security Administration
Fraud Hotline
Social Security numbers misuse or forged checks.

800-269-0271
http://oig.ssa.gov

Securities and Exchange Commission
File or investigate a prior complaint.

202-942-8088 - Instant Information Recording
www.sec.gov

United States Postal Service
Takes reports of mail crimes.

800-654-8896
www.usps.gov

National Foundation for Credit Counseling
800-388-2227
www.nfcc.org

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
Consumer information and advocacy.

619-298-3396
www.privacyrights.org

Credit Reporting Agencies - contact the following agencies to request a copy of your credit report or dispute information listed on credit report.

Equifax
www.equifax.com
P.O. Box 740256
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-888-766-0008 (report fraud)
1-800-685-1111 (order credit report)

Experian, Inc.
www.experian.com
P.O. Box 949
Allen, TX 75013
1-888-397-3742

Trans Union Corporation
www.tuc.com
P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834
1-800-916-8800

Michigan Crime Victim Compensation:

Provides a list of Michigan service agencies funded by this organization.
Download Crime Victim Compensation forms for eligible victims.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/app_6993_7.pdf - MI Crime Victims Compensation Application form

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Crimevictimcompensation_9679_7.pdf - MI Crime Victims Compensation brochure

Adobe pdf Files:

FCVRA Administrative Complaint Process 

Victim-Witness Specialist

For additional information regarding our office's victim-witness program, please direct written or E-mail correspondence to:

Sandy Palazzolo
Victim-Witness Specialist
U.S. Attorney's Office
211 W. Fort Street
Suite 2001
Detroit, MI 48226

Sandy.Palazzolo@usdoj.gov
Telephone: (313) 226-9100

Updated August 17, 2023