Mission

The mission of the Victim Witness Program for the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Wyoming, is to respond to the needs and uphold the rights of victims and witnesses by implementing and carrying out the requirements of federal law and Department of Justice regulations.  The Victim Witness Program provides federal crime victims and witnesses with information, services, and support during federal prosecutions. Our office is committed to ensuring victims and witnesses of crime are treated fairly throughout their contact with the federal criminal justice system.

The United States Department of Justice and our office have adopted measures  to make the participation by victims of crime and witnesses more effective and meaningful. One of these  is the creation of this web section. We hope it will provide you with the answers to many of your questions and give you sufficient information to understand your rights and responsibilities.

Victim Witness Program

The United States Attorney’s Office’s Victim Witness Program assists victims of federal crime during the prosecution process, provides information and referrals, helps ensure that victims’ rights are upheld, and notifies victims of public court proceedings. Program employees also serve as a central point of contact for federal witnesses and provide logistical information to individuals who have been designated as witnesses by the prosecution. Being a victim of, or a witness to, a crime can be a difficult, even devastating, experience. Victims and witnesses often feel frustrated, confused, or overwhelmed by the criminal justice system and their role in the process. Our Victim Witness staff is available to help.

If you are a federal victim, witness, or victim service provider, the following links will take you directly to information you may need (if a link is not active, there is no information we are providing at this time):

• Status of Cases Involving Large Numbers of Victims
• Frequently Asked Questions by Victims and Witnesses
• Conferences, Training Events and Community Outreach

Witness Information

The federal justice system cannot function without the participation of witnesses. You may be subpoenaed at some point for a federal criminal proceeding, whether it be grand jury, trial, or another type of hearing. Witnesses who receive a subpoena and appear for a court proceeding are entitled to certain reimbursements. Generally, each witness receives a $40 fee for each day’s attendance, parking and mileage reimbursement, travel provided by the least expensive method, and a specific meal and lodging allowance if required to stay overnight. Once you receive a subpoena, you will talk with a Victim Witness Program staff member about arrangements. If specific contact information does not appear on your subpoena, a Victim Witness staff member can be reached at the numbers listed below for assistance.

The United States Attorney's Office understands that being a victim and/or witness in a federal case may cause concerns for your safety and/or the safety of your family. If an emergency arises, call 911 or your local emergency number to reach law enforcement immediately. If you feel you have been threatened or harassed due to your involvement as a victim or witness in a federal case, contact the case agent or a member of our Victim Witness staff.

Victim Witness Program Staff

Yulonda Candelario
Victim Witness Program Coordinator
(307) 261-5434
(800) 809-7066

Vicki Powell
Victim Witness Specialist
(307) 772-2124
(800) 836-5801

Program History

In response to the 1981 President's Task Force on Violent Crime and the Victim and Witness Protection Act (VWPA) of 1982, responsibility for victim and witness assistance in the federal government was assigned to U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide. A Victim Witness Coordinator was appointed for each U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure compliance with the VWPA.

The Attorney General of the United States established guidelines for victim witness assistance pursuant to the VWPA of 1982, and subsequent statutes have been enacted to further enhance and ensure additional rights and protections to victims and witnesses. The most recent Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance became effective on October 1, 2011.

Victims’ Rights

The Crime Victims’ Rights Act gives victims of offenses charged in federal court the following rights:

• 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.

The United States Attorney’s Office will make the best effort to ensure that victims in criminal cases are accorded these rights. Victims may seek the advice of an attorney with respect to these rights and may file a complaint if they believe a U.S. Department of Justice employee has denied them any of these rights. Complaint forms are available in English and Spanish as follows:

complaintform_english.pdf

complaintform_spanish.pdf

Victim Notification

After the defendant is charged with a federal crime, victims are entitled to be notified of public court proceedings. In most instances, victims will receive an initial letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and subsequent letters as case events warrant. Occasionally, in cases involving large numbers of victims, alternative notification procedures may be used. We have developed a dedicated web page for this purpose: Status of Cases Involving Large Numbers of Victims

In addition to receiving notifications from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, victims may:

• Call the Victim Notification System (VNS) center at (866) 365-4968 for recorded information about the status of a case, using the Victim Identification Number (VIN) and Personal Identification Number (PIN) provided in our initial letter.
• Visit VNS’s Website VNS Notify.gov to check the status of a case, using the VIN and PIN provided in our initial letter.
• Access the U.S. District Court’s website at any federal court in Wyoming or through a PACER account. To set up an account call (800) 676-9856 or register at: PACER.gov. There is no charge to establish an account or view a list of documents.  Documents cost $.10 per page to view or print, but users who accumulate less than $10 a year in fees are not charged.
• Contact a staff member of the Victim Witness Program.
• If a defendant has been incarcerated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, further information may be obtained from the Bureau of Prisons website at: BOP.gov Click on Inmates/Find an Inmate.

Other Victim Witness Services

After charges are filed in a federal criminal case, Victim Witness staff members provide certain services to victims and witnesses. They may:

• Notify victims about public court proceedings such as indictments, arraignments, trial dates, continuances, plea agreements, trial outcomes, and sentencing hearings.
• Provide information to victims about the Victim Notification System (VNS) call center and website.
• Provide information about victims’ rights under federal law.
• Refer victims to the Wyoming Crime Victims Compensation Program as appropriate.
• Provide information about federal court procedures and the criminal justice process.
• Notify subpoenaed witnesses of changes in court dates or times.
• Make travel and lodging arrangements for court appearances by non-local witnesses.
• Arrange for direct government payment of certain witness transportation and lodging expenses.

• Process vouchers for witness court attendance fees and reimbursement of allowable expenses.
• Accompany victims to court proceedings.
• Arrange for victims to speak at release, plea, and sentencing hearings.
• Provide restitution information to victims.
• Supply victims with Victim Impact Statement and Financial Loss Forms.
• Refer victims to social service programs and other community resources.
• Notify employers and creditors of a victim’s or witness’s role in a criminal prosecution.
• Arrange court-related assistance for child victims and witnesses.
• Arrange for disbursements of travel expense monies for indigent witnesses.

Victim Impact Statements

If a defendant pleads guilty or is convicted, victims may submit Victim Impact Statements explaining the physical, emotional, and/or financial effects of the crime. Victim Impact Statements are submitted to the U.S. District Court and may be used to help the court decide what sentence the defendant should receive and whether restitution should be ordered. Victims of charges filed also have the right to speak at the sentencing hearing.

Restitution

If victims suffered financial loss as a result of the crime, the U.S. District Court may order the defendant to repay them as part of the sentence. While there is no guarantee that payment will be made, it is important that victims keep detailed records of all crime-related losses and expenses. If victims are awarded restitution and have questions about payments, they may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Financial Litigation Program at (800) 836-5801 or the U.S. District Court’s Financial Administrator at (307) 433-2120.

Wyoming Crime Victims Compensation Program, Division of Victim Services

The Wyoming Crime Victims Compensation Program provides reimbursement to eligible victims and their families for certain crime-related expenses. These reimbursements may cover medical, counseling, and funeral expenses, as well as certain other expenses approved by the Program. However, reimbursement does not cover property losses or provide compensation for pain and suffering. Victims may contact the Wyoming Crime Victims Compensation Program at (307) 777-7200, or use the toll-free Victim Helpline at (888) 996-8816 TTY/V, or via email at: Victim Services, or contact the United States Attorney’s Office Victim Witness staff for more information about the Program and the benefits that may be available. You can also visit Other Victim Resources.

Other Victim Resources

Wyoming Resources

Wyoming Child Protective Services
(307) 777-5479

Wyoming Coalition against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
(800) 990-3877

Wyoming Attorney General’s Office, Division of Victim Services
**Lists resources for victims and domestic violence shelters throughout the State of Wyoming
(888) 996-8816

Wyoming 211

National Resources

Office for Victims of Crime
**Information and resources for victims in need of assistance which includes a comprehensive list of toll-free numbers.
(202) 307-5983

National Center for Victims of Crime
See “Help for Crime Victims” – (202) 467-8700

National Organization for Victims Assistance
(800) TRY-NOVA; (800) 879-6682

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
(800) THELOST; (800) 843-5678

National Child Abuse Hotline
(800) 4-A-CHILD; (800) 422-4453

National Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-SAFE: (800) 799-7233

National Coalition against Domestic Violence
(303) 839-1852

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline, crisis counseling, referrals
(800) 656-HOPE (800) 656-4673

Parents of Murdered Children
(888) 818-POMC (888) 818-7662

Mothers against Drunk Driving
(877) MADD-HELP (877) 623-3435

National Elder Care
(800) 677-1116