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DOJ's Automated Victim Notification System (VNS)

Where possible, all victim information and notifications in criminal cases that have been accepted for prosecution from federal investigative agencies are made available (in both English and Spanish) by means of the Department of Justice's Victim Notification System (VNS). The Department of Justice's Victim Notification System (VNS) is a cooperative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Attorney's Offices, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Criminal Division. This free, computer-based system provides federal crime victims with information on scheduled court events, as well as the outcome of those court events. It also provides victims with information on the offender's custody status and release. In addition to the written notifications generated through VNS, victims can obtain automated status information by calling the VNS Call Center at 1-866-365-4968 (1-866-DOJ-4YOU) or by accessing the VNS Internet site at www.notify.usdoj.gov. A Victim ID# and PIN# are required to access the VNS Call Center or VNS Internet site.


Cases Prosecuted by the Criminal Division

The Criminal Division is committed to ensuring that victims of federal crime are treated with dignity, fairness and respect throughout their involvement in the federal criminal justice system, and that they receive the rights and services to which they are entitled under federal law. The Criminal Division works with the United States Attorney's Offices to address the needs of crime victims during the prosecution stage of the federal court process.

In a small number of criminal cases prosecuted by the Criminal Division in Washington, D.C. it will not be possible or practical to use the Department of Justice's Automated Victim Notification System (VNS) to provide case notices to victims and potential victims.  Those cases will be listed under Case Updates on the left hand side of your screen.  Information about upcoming hearing dates, if any are scheduled, and the name of the judge handling the case will be provided.   A list of the Victim-Witness Liaisons for each Section of the Criminal Division and their contact information can be accessed on the left hand side of your screen.  If you need them, Victim Impact Forms and Restitution Forms, and directions for their use, are available on the Victim Impact Statement Form.  You can also obtain information about the next public hearing in your case from the Clerk's Office in the courthouse where the hearing is scheduled.



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