About the Program
If you are the victim of a crime or a witness to one, your assistance is vital to our criminal justice system. It is only through your cooperation that criminals can be brought to justice.
You may have just experienced a traumatic event due to a criminal act and may be feeling hurt, scared, confused, or just don’t know what to do next. The Victim/Witness Assistance Program is here to assist you and guide you through out the criminal justice process.
VICTIM/WITNESS SERVICES
Some of the services that we provide, free of charge, that may be of interest to you are:
- Advanced notice of trial dates, bond hearings, etc.
- Escorts to court for support and courtroom explanations
- Information about your role as a victim/witness
- Courtroom tours before the trial date
- Assistance in petitioning to request a protective order
- Assistance in filing a claim with the Virginia Victims Fund (V.V.F.) for medical bills, counseling, and more.
- Advanced notification if the defendant is released from jail. You may register for inmate status notifications on www.Vinelink.com.
- Retrieving personal property held as evidence
- Assistance in requesting restitution and obtaining court ordered restitution payments
- Assistance in reimbursement for out of town travel expenses relating to court appearances
- Letters to employers/schools verifying court appearances or other case related meetings
- Assistance in preparing a Victim Impact Statement
- Referrals to social services, support groups, counseling, legal aid, etc.
- Assistance with placement in a shelter or safe house
- You just need to talk to someone
Many innocent people suffer physical and/or emotional injury or death as a result of criminal acts. The Virginia Victims Fund was created to compensate unreimbursed expenses of victims of crime for such injuries. We can assist you in filing a claim. (*Benefits are subject to the rules and regulations of the Virginia’s Victim’s Fund.
Some of the benefits that may be available to you are:
- Medical Expenses
- Wage Loss
- Loss of Support
- Mental Health Counseling
- Grievance Counseling
- Mileage to court, meetings, doctor’s appointments, etc.
- Funeral/burial expenses
- Moving expenses
- Crime scene clean-up
