Victim-Witness Program
The Victim-Witness Program was developed to ensure that crime victims in this district are informed of their rights and to assist crime victims throughout the criminal court process. This office is committed to ensuring that victims and witnesses of federal crimes are treated fairly, their privacy is respected and they are treated with dignity and respect.
"Crime Victim" (18 U.S.C. Sec. 3771(e)) -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 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, or
- family members, or
- any other persons appointed as suitable by the court
A crime victim has the following rights: (Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec 3771(1))
- 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 the 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.
A crime victim has the following rights:
- The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.
- The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender.
- The right to be notified of court proceedings.
- The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that testimony by the victim would be materially affected if the victim heard other testimony at trial.
- The right to confer with an attorney for the Government in the case.
- The right to restitution.
- The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender.
- Crisis intervention and support services.
- Information about the status of a criminal case through the use of the Victim Notification System (VNS).
- Accompanying victims to court for trials and sentencings, upon request.
- Referrals to appropriate community agencies and programs.
- Information about victims rights and the victims role in the criminal case.
- Assisting in preparing victims for testifying in court proceedings.
- Information about the victim impact process, the restitution process, and the right to allocution at sentencing where permitted.
- Assist victims in obtaining release of their property after a case has been completed.
- Explaining court and case related information to employers of victims or witnesses.
The Victim-Witness program in the U.S. Attorney's Office works primarily with victims involved in indicted cases, however, program staff works closely with victim assistance staff from various other federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), US Postal Inspection Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), etc.
The Victim Witness Program offers a variety of services to eligible victims, which may include:
In 2002 the Department of Justice created an automated Victim Notification System (VNS). The Department is committed to ensuring the victims of federal crime are treated fairly as their case moves through the criminal justice system. This free, computer based system provides two important services to victims: information and notification. Information is available in English and Spanish. VNS can inform a victim of information on scheduled court hearings and an offender's custody status. If you are a victim of a federal crime you will receive a letter from the US Attorney's Office explaining this system in detail along with a Victim Identification Number and a Personal Identification Number.
The Victim-Witness Program has information available regarding such issues as; victim witness safety, federal domestic abuse laws, the restitution process in federal court, Internet safety for children, understanding your rights and the federal court system, the Victim Notification System, identity theft and consumer fraud. For copies of any of these pamphlets please write:
US Attorney's Office
Northern District of Iowa
Attn: Victim Witness Program
401 1st ST SE, Suite 400
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-4950
The US Attorney's Office is committed to protecting the rights of crime victims and witnesses. If you are a victim of a Federal crime which is being prosecuted in the Northern District of Iowa and have questions about your case or need assistance, please contact us at (319) 363-6333 or toll free at (877) 398-2842.
The Department of Justice has implemented procedures for crime victims to file complaints against Department of Justice employees who may have failed to provide or have violated the rights of a crime victim under the Crime Victims' Rights Act of 2004. If you wish to file a compliant you must use the document found by Clicking Here
. Spanish Version, Click here
A new internet site is available for the Office of the Victims's Rights Ombudsman at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/vr/index.html. The site contains information for victims about the Crime Victims' Rights Act, Department of Justice regulations, the procedures and process for filing an adminstrative complaint, complaint forms (in English and Spanish), contact information for each United States Attorney's Office and Department of Justice component, and other useful links.
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