Victim-Witness Assistance Program
If you are a victim or a witness to a crime, the Victim-Witness Assistance Program is designed to provide you with services while you are involved with the criminal justice system.
As a victim of crime, you may be experiencing feelings of confusion, frustration, fear, and anger. Our staff can help you deal with these feelings. We also will explain your rights as a victim or witness, and help you better understand how the criminal justice system works.
One of the responsibilities of citizenship for those who have knowledge about the commission of a crime is to serve as witnesses at the criminal trial or one of the other hearings held in connection with the criminal prosecution. The federal criminal justice system cannot function without the participation of witnesses. The complete cooperation and truthful testimony of all witnesses are essential to the proper determination of guilt or innocence in a criminal case.
Our office is concerned that victims and witnesses of crime are treated fairly throughout their contact with the criminal justice system.
The United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office have taken several steps to make the participation by victims of crime and witnesses more effective and meaningful. One of these steps is the preparation of this web section, which contains information related to our Victim-Witness Unit. We hope that it will provide you the answers to many of your questions and will give you sufficient general information to understand your rights and responsibilities.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS UNIT
Southern District of Mississippi
(601) 965-4480
Victim Witness Program Manager
U.S. Attorney's Office
501 East Court Street
Suite 4.430
Jackson, MS 30201
Office: (601) 965-4480
Crime Victims’ Rights Act of 2004, 18 U.S.C. § 3771:
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The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.
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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.
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The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, afer receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.
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The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.
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The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
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The right to full and timely restitution as provided by law.
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The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
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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.
*According to the Act, a victim is "a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of a Federal offense or an offense in the District of Columbia. In the case of a crime victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardians of the crime victim or the representatives of the crime victim's estate, family members, or any other persons appointed as suitable by the court, may assume the crime victim's rights under this chapter, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such guardian or representative."
The United States Attorney's Office will make our best efforts to ensure you are provided the rights described. Section 3771(c)(2) requires that we advise you that you have the right to retain counsel. Although the Act specifically sets forth your right to seek advice of an attorney with regard to your rights under the Act, there is no requirement that you retain counsel. The Government cannot advise you about specific counsel, nor can the Government (or the Court) pay for counsel to represent you.
If you allege failure on the part of a Department of Justice Employee to provide you these rights you may file a written complaint.
If you would like more information about U.S. Department of Justice programs, please visit these websites: