U.S. Department
of Justice
Victim and Witness Assistance - Victims' Rights
Victims of all crimes under federal investigation are entitled to services under the Victims’ Rights and Restitution Act, including notification of court events. For further details, please refer to Title 42 United States Code section 10607.
Once charges are filed in federal court, victims of the charges filed are, in addition, entitled to the following rights, according to the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, Title 18 United States Code section 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.
Please understand that these rights apply only to victims of the counts charged in federal court, and thus some victims may not be able to exercise all of these rights if the crime of which they are a victim was not charged. We will make our best efforts to ensure victims are provided the rights and services to which they are entitled. While our office cannot act as a victim’s attorney or provide a victim with legal advice, a victim can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to the rights above or other related legal matters.
It is the responsibility of the Victims’ Rights Ombuds to receive and investigate complaints against Department of Justice employees who violate or fail to provide you with these rights. If you feel that there has been a violation of these rights, you may download the complaint form and submit the form to the address noted at the top of the form.
Services to Crime Victims
Provide general information about the criminal justice process and notice of case events.
Provide referrals for victims to agencies for shelter, counseling, compensation, restitution and other types of assistance.
Provide victims and witnesses with a waiting area separate from the offender and defense witnesses during court proceedings to the extent possible.
Provide support and assistance to victims and witnesses during court appearances.
Provide information or assistance concerning transportation, parking, lodging, and related services.
Provide assistance in notifying the employer regarding absence from work because of attending court proceedings when requested.
Victim Notification
The Department of Justice runs a nation-wide Victim Notification System (VNS). This no-cost service provides victims of crime with notice of case events via letters and e-mails as the case progresses through the criminal justice system.
For general information on the VNS System, click on the link below to download the VNS brochure (in PDF format) or call the Victim/Witness Program coordinators at (616) 808-2034 to receive a copy by mail.
https://www.justice.gov/media/1114381/dl?inline
If you are identified as a victim of crime, you will receive a VNS letter which includes a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that provides you access to the system through the internet at the following address: www.notify.usdoj.gov
In the alternative, you can contact the VNS Call Center at 1-866-365-4968. You will be asked to enter your VIN and PIN numbers to access information. You should notify the VNS Call Center when your contact information changes, for example, change in address or telephone number. You may also contact a Victim/Witness coordinator at (616) 808-2034 to update your notification information.