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Victim Witness Assistance

The Victim Witness Assistance Unit provides assistance to victims and witnesses of federal crimes while they are involved with the criminal justice system. Services include:

  • Information on court proceedings and case status
  • Referrals to counseling, medical and other social services
  • Court accompaniment
  • Special services for child victims, the elderly, and handicapped victims
  • Crime victims compensation claims assistance
  • Assistance with completing victim impact statements
  • Assistance with travel and lodging for out of town witnesses
  • Support witnesses throughout court proceedings
  • Assistance with restitution issues

Cases that are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney are referred to our office by investigative agencies. The U.S. Attorney’s office begins its responsibilities to victims and witnesses once federal charges are filed, and the charges are made public. Victims may call 855-450-7511 with any questions.

Large Victim Cases

For information regarding one of the large victim cases named below, click on the name of the case.


American Standard/Anchor House Real Estate/Pre-Foreclosure Scam
Client Care Experts LLC, First Choice Tech Support
Creative Vacation Solutions and Universal Marketing Solutions
Pieter Roor and Heintina Roor-Potman
Simple Health Plans
Smirnow
Malosi Herbs/Ma’Kava Products

Restitution

Victims of financial fraud should read The Reality of Restitution.

Witnesses

If you have been subpoenaed by the U.S Attorney's Office to testify in Federal Court or Grand Jury, please contact the following individual.

VICTIMS

Federal Crime Victims’ have rights as set forth in the Justice for All Act of 2004:

RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS

18 U.S.C. 3771 (a)

A victim of a crime 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.

As a crime victim, you can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to these rights.

This law is effective October 30, 2004. If you have any questions regarding your rights as a crime victim, please call the Victim Witness Coordinator at the United States Attorney's Office at (618) 628-3700.

Resources

Internet Crime Complaint Center

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating crime: www.ic3.gov

Tech Support Scam Case

The U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Illinois and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service partnered on a case to shut down a tech support scam and bring offenders to justice.

When Bank Employees Become Victims of a Robbery
A brochure including information, referral, and support for victims, their family, and witness of crime.

Victim & Witness Handbook
Guide to provide services while one is involved in the criminal justice system.

National Organization of Victim Assistance
www.trynova.org
(800) TRY-NOVA
(800) 879-6682

National Center for Victims of Crime
http://www.victimsofcrime.org/
(800) FYI-CALL
(800) 394-2255

Office for Victims of Crime
www.ojp.usdoj/ovc

Domestic Violence Victims
(800) 799-7233

National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc.
www.pomc.com
(888) 818-POMC
(888) 818-7662

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com
(800) 843-5678

Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov

Identity Theft
www.identitytheft.gov

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

National Fraud Information Center
www.fraud.org
(800) 876-7060

National Sexual Assault Hotline
https://www.rainn.org/
1.800.656.HOPE

Updated October 31, 2024