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Victim/Witness Assistance Program

United States Attorney
District of Connecticut

Connecticut Financial Center 157 Church Street
P.O. Box 1824
New Haven, CT 06508
(203) 821-3700

US Courthouse and Federal Building
915 Lafayette Boulevard
Bridgeport, CT 06604
(203) 696-3000

450 Main Street
Abraham Ribicoff Federal Building
Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 947-1101

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. This program carries out the mandates' of the Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982, the Crime Control Act of 1990, and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994. These victim/witness assistance protection laws apply to all victims and witnesses of federal crime who have suffered physical, financial, or emotional trauma. A variety of notification and assistance services are provided to victims and witnesses of federal crime by Assistant Attorneys and other US Attorney's Office staff, with the assistance of federal and tribal law enforcement agencies.

A federal 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 victim would be materially affected if the victim heard other testimony at the trial;
• The right to confer with the 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.

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. If requested by the victim or witness, the following notifications may be made:

• 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 each court proceeding that the victim or witness is either required to attend or entitled to attend;
• The terms of any negotiated plea, including the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or the rendering of a verdict after trial;
• 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 date set for sentencing if the offender is found guilty; and the sentence imposed;
• Entry of the victim or witness, if appropriate, into the Bureau of Prisons Victim and Witness Notification Program; and
• With respect to victims of violent crime and sexual abuse, the date set for sentencing and the victim's opportunity to make a statement, or present any information to the court in relation to the sentence.

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 support and assistance to victims and witnesses during court appearances or arrange for same;
• 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.

CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The Crime Victims Compensation Program provides a method of compensating and assisting innocent victims of criminal acts who suffer bodily injury or death. It does not provide compensation for property loss or damage. Compensation is provided in the amount of expenses actually suffered as a direct result of the criminal acts of others.

A claim for compensation must be filed within one year after the date of injury or death. Compensation will not be awarded to one who is the offender or an accomplice, or others if the award would unjustly benefit the offender or accomplice.

Compensation may not be awarded if the criminally injurious conduct was not reported to law enforcement within 72 hours after its occurrence. The Board, upon finding that a claimant has not fully cooperated with law enforcement, may deny, reconsider or reduce an award.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE

• Reasonable medical, mental health treatment, and prescribed medication;
• Wage loss (up to $300 per week);
• Replacement services (expenses incurred for services the claimant would normally have performed);
• Funeral expenses up to $3,000.00;
• Dependent's economic loss (loss of deceased's wages up to $300 per week);
• Dependent's replacement services loss (expenses incurred by dependent for services which would normally have been performed for the dependents by the deceased victim).

The Crime Victims Compensation total benefits may not exceed $25,000.00.

Claims may be filed by the victim, a representative of the victim, or by a dependent of a deceased victim.

If restitution is paid, expenses paid by the program must be reimbursed. If there is recovery through a civil suit, reimbursement may be required for expenses already paid, or a claim may be denied if the recovery is more than the victim's economic loss.

This fund is a secondary source which pays only for loss not paid by other sources, such as, but not limited to: medical insurance, medical assistance, Medicare, sick leave or annual leave paid by the employer, social security, workers compensation or other disability benefits.

For additional information contact:

Office of Victim Services
31 Cooke Street
Plainville, CT 06062
Telephone: 1-800-822-8428

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