Virginia’s Crime Victim and Witnesses Rights Act

The “Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act” (Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights) was made law by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995. The purpose of this law is to ensure that victims and witnesses of crime:

  • Are treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity and that their privacy is protected where the law allows
  • Have an opportunity to be heard at critical stages of the criminal justice process
  • Have an opportunity to make the courts aware of the full impact of the crime

What is the Victim-Witness Assistance Program?

The Accomack County Victim-Witness Assistance Program helps to ensure that victims of crime will receive fair and compassionate treatment throughout the judicial process.  Our primary purpose is to help victims and witnesses prepare for trial through support and education.  Your role as a witness is an important one, but the responsibilities involved may be unfamiliar to you.

Crime in Accomack County touches all of us.  When one person is victimized, we all – as a community – suffer.  If you are not personally a victim of crime, then you know a relative, friend or neighbor who is.  Being a victim of, or a witness to, crime can be a frightening experience.  You often feel violated by the intrusion into your life and are left with feelings of anger and pain.

Victims and witnesses naturally look to the criminal justice system for vindication and justice, but all too often find a court system which appears to be dedicated to protecting the very people who have caused their anger and pain.  While the criminal justice system is designed to protect, support and serve our communities, most citizens do not learn about it until after they become victims of crime.  However, no criminal can be successfully prosecuted without the valuable assistance of victims and witnesses.

The Victim-Witness Assistance Program is available to help victims and witnesses –reduce the psychological trauma associated with the crime - answer questions and provide information on the status of your case – provide information and assist with notifications on the person arrested – address safety concerns – and provide referrals to counseling and local social service agencies. The legal process, frequently long and complicated, often fails to address the unique needs of crime victims. However, our VWAP advocates are available to make sure that these needs are addressed.

Services Provided by the Victim-Witness Assistance Program

  • Ensure that victims have a voice throughout the criminal justice process
  • Escort a victim to and from court when requested
  • Case Status Updates – police investigation, court dates and the outcome of the case
  • Assistance with Protective Orders
  • Arrange pre-trial meetings between the prosecuting attorney and victim
  • Provide a tour of the courtroom
  • Provide Separate Waiting Areas
  • Explanation of court procedures and the role of a witness
  • Employer intercession as it relates to your case
  • Crisis intervention and referral to social service agencies and counseling agencies
  • Provide and assist with the filing of claims to the Virginia Victims Fund  (VVF)  
  • Assistance with the preparation of a Victim Impact Statement
  • Crime prevention information and assistance
  • Assistance with the recovery of personal property held as evidence
  • Monitoring of restitution as ordered by the courts
  • Information regarding travel expense reimbursements

Virginia Victims’ Fund

If you are a victim of a crime and were physically injured during the crime, injured trying to stop the crime, or you are the surviving spouse, parent, grandparent, sibling, or child of a victim who was killed because of a crime, then you may be entitled to reimbursement for:

  • Un-reimbursed, out-of-pocket medical expenses
  • Prescriptions
  • Mental Health Expenses
  • Lost Wages
  • Funeral/Burial expenses up to $10,000 (Ten Thousand Dollars).
  • Grief counseling (expenses up to $5,000)
  • Loss of Financial Support (in certain cases)
  • Moving Expenses (in certain cases)
  • Mileage to Doctor’s Appointments
  • Crime-Scene Clean-Up
  • Other Crime-Related Expenses

Who is a crime victim?  

A crime victim is any adult or child who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a direct result of a crime.

  • We help survivors of all types of crimes
    • adult physical and sexual violence
    • serious child physical abuse or neglect
    • child sexual abuse
    • elder abuse (physical abuse or neglect)
    • stalking
    • strangulation
    • human trafficking
    • shooting or stabbing
    • vehicular crimes involving injuries, especially those involving alcohol/drug use by the offender
    • surviving family members of homicide victims
    • assistance to victims of identity theft both locally and through the Office of the Attorney General

If you are the victim or witness of a crime committed in Accomack County, advocates are available to help. Services are confidential and free of charge.

 

Protection:

  • protective order assistance
  • Separate waiting rooms
  • Safety planning
  • Confidentiality of personal information

Financial Assistance:

  • Virginia Victims Fund  (VVF) application assistance (medical, counseling, funeral or other crime-related expenses)
  • Restitution assistance
  • Property return from police
  • Referrals to Chesterfield Department of Social Services 
  • Referral to community resources 
  • Travel & lodging arrangements for subpoenaed witnesses (as allowed by the Supreme Court)
  • Travel, lodging & meal reimbursements for subpoenaed witnesses (as allowed by the Supreme Court)

Notices:

  • Case status information
  • Court date and bond hearing notification
  • Registration for offender custody updates with local jails
  • VINE 
  • Help with crime-related creditor, employer or school issues
  • Confidentiality of personal information
  • Notifications – DOC, AG, Parole (in cases prior to 1995)

Victim Input:

  • Assistance talking with prosecutor about your case
  • Information and updates regarding plea agreements
  • The right to remain in the courtroom
  • Victim Impact Statements – explanation, assistance with preparation, and submission

Courtroom Assistance:

  • Criminal Justice Process explanation and support
  • Escort to court
  • Assistance preparing for court – tips for testifying
  • Courtroom tours
  • Interpreters or assistance meeting other special needs

Post-Case Services:

  • Appeal information and updates
  • Final sentencing information
  • Registration for inmate custody updates through the VA Department of Corrections  
  • Assistance in resolving problems with offender non-compliance while in custody
  • Victim / Offender Dialogue
  • Victim Impact Programming
  • Notification and support regarding offender parole hearings

 

Important Numbers:

In an emergency dial 911

Accomack County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office 757-787-2877

Accomack County Sheriff’s Office 757-787-1131

Virginia State Police 800-582-8350 or #77 from your mobile phone

E.S. Coalition Against Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault (24HR Hotline) 757-787-1329

Dept. of Social Services (Child Protective & Adult Protective Services) 757-787-1530

Accomack County Circuit Court 757-787-5776

23316 Courthouse Ave.

Accomac, VA 23301

 

Accomack County 2A General District Court 757-787-0923

23371 Front Street

Accomac, VA 23301 (1st Floor)

 

Accomack County 2A Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court 757-787-0920

23371 Front Street

Accomac, VA 23301 (2nd Floor)

 

Dept. of Juvenile Justice 2A Court Services Unit 757-787-5860

23371 Front Street

Accomac, VA 23301 (2nd Floor)