Victim/Witness Assistance
The goal of the Federal Victim/Witness Assistance Program is to ensure
that victims of federal crime are treated with fairness and respect for
the victim's dignity and privacy. The program carries out the mandates
of the Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982, the Crime Control
Act of 1990, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
and the Justice for All Act of 2004. These victim/witness assistance protection
laws apply to all victims and witnesses of federal crime who have suffered
physical, financial, or emotional trauma. Crime victims can seek the advise
of an attorney with respect to the rights described below.
A federal crime victim has 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.
Notification Services
When a federal criminal case reaches the prosecution stage of the criminal
justice process, notification services are provided concerning the status
of the case involving the victim or witness. The following notifications
will be made, unless the victim specifically requests not to be notified.
- The release or detention status of an offender pending judicial proceedings;
or the placement in a pretrial diversion program, and the conditions
thereof;
- The filing of charges against a suspected offender, or the proposed
dismissal of any or all charges, including dismissal in favor of state
prosecution;
- The scheduling, including scheduling changes and/or continuances,
of any public court proceeding, to include post judgment hearings (i.e.
probation violations, appellate arguments);
- The terms of any negotiated plea, including the acceptance of a plea
of guilty or the rendering of a verdict after trial;
- The dates of any plea, sentencing or parole hearing, and the victim's
right to make a statement or present any information to the court in
relation to the plea, sentence or parole of the defendant(s);.
- The opportunity to present to the court in the presentence report
a victim impact statement containing information concerning any harm,
including financial, social, psychological and physical harm, done to
or loss suffered by the victim of the crime;
The outcome of any trial, and the sentence imposed, to include restitution
awarded, if applicable;
Other Assistance Services
To the extent possible, provide victims and witnesses with a waiting area
removed from the offender and defense witnesses during court proceedings;
- Provide or arrange for support and assistance to victims and witnesses
during court appearances;
- Upon request by a victim or witness, provide assistance in notifying
the employer if cooperation in the investigation or prosecution of the
crime causes his/her absence from work; and the creditors, where appropriate,
if the crime or cooperation in the investigation or prosecution affects
his/her ability to make timely payments;
- Routinely provide information or assistance concerning transportation,
parking, lodging, translator and related services;
- Provide referrals to other agencies for shelter, counseling, compensation,
and other types of assistance services when needed.
We have taken several steps to make participation by victims of crime
and witnesses more effective and meaningful. The United States Department
of Justice and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of
Connecticut are committed to advocating, assisting and enforcing your
rights as a federal crime victim. However, you should be aware that representatives
of the Department of Justice represent the interests of the United States,
which may on occasion, differ from the interests of a single victim.
We hope this information helps you in understanding your rights. We recognize
that being the victim or witness of a crime is a difficult and often traumatic
experience. During the process, you will be kept informed of the status
of your case by the Victim-Witness Coordinator, Linda Corraro, who will
be your principal contact and can be reached at:
Victim Witness Assistance Program
United States Attorney's Office
(203) 821-3700
Toll Free: 1(888) 645-5807
Email: usa-ct-vns@usdoj.gov
Links
State of Connecticut, Office of
Victim Services
Office for Victims of Crime
The National Center for Victims of Crime
National Organization for Victim Assistance
(NOVA)
The Office of Family Support was developed to serve Connecticut families
who lost loved ones in the September 11th terrorists' attacks. For more
information, please contact: Connecticut Helps Office of Family Support,
450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 418-6262.
|