Victim Witness
Being a victim of crime can be hard. Everyone copes with being a victim in their own way and the justice system can be confusing. You do not have to go through it alone. The Jefferson County Victim Service Program is here to make sure that you receive all the rights and services that you as a crime victim have been afforded under the Bill of Rights.
Services offered through the Jefferson County Victim Service Program
- Go to court with you and give you support.
- Answer your questions.
- Help you file for Victims Compensation for medical bills, loss of earnings, counseling and more.
- Help you to write down how the crime has hurt you or help you to plan what you want to say at court.
- Make sure you have a safe place to wait in the courthouse.
- Tell you how the justice system works.
- Give you information about your case and let you know when things related to the case are scheduled.
- Help you to get your property back.
- Help you to tell the court about money you lost because of the crime.
- Help you to get to court and with childcare.
- Talk to your employer or people who are sending you bills.
- To help you register to be told if the offender gets out of jail.
- Help you if you are threatened.
- Tell you about other agencies that can help you.
- Take you for a tour of the court.
Your Rights as a Victim of Crime
You have the right to be told…
- about basic services available to you in your county
- about certain court events, including information about bail, the escape or release of an offender
- about the details of what happens with the case
You have the right to receive…
- notice of the arrest of the offender
- information about restitution and help with compensation
- to have a family member, a victim advocate or a support person go to criminal proceedings with you.
You have the right to provide input…
- into the sentencing decision and to have help in preparing an oral and/or written victim impact statement
- into the post-sentencing decisions.
PA SAVIN
This is a free and confidential notification service about an offender’s release, transfer or escape from a county jail or state prison.
- You can register by a phone number or an e-mail address.
- The offender will not know that you are registered.
- If you are not at home, the service will leave a message on your answering machine. If no one answers the call the automated service will keep calling until you answer the call and enter your pin number.
- Since the service is automated, you may get a phone call in the middle of the night.
- DO NOT depend only on this service for your protection. If you feel that you are at risk, take precautions and contact the Victim Service Program.
- You do not have to be the victim of the offender, anyone can register.
To register for PA SAVIN visit: www.pacrimevictims.state.pa.us or call: (866) 972-7284 TTY Users: (866) 847-1298
OFFICE OF THE VICTIM ADVOCATE – If you are a crime victim or parent/guardian of a crime victim can register with the Office of the Victim Advocate and the offender has to be in State Prison. The Office of the Victim Advocate will also contact you for input regarding an offender coming up for parole.
You can register by phone at: 800-322-4472 or online at: www.ova.state.pa.us
Duties of Victims
All victims must provide a valid address and telephone number to all agencies responsible for coordinating the case and providing information to the victim. No information provided will be disclosed to any other persons than law enforcement officials, the court, or other persons involved in the case provided such person have “the need to know”, without the prior written consent of the victim. If you move of change your address, you need to let the Jefferson County Victim Service Program know as soon as possible.
Intimidation of a Victim or Witness
You have an absolute right to be free from intimidation and/or harassment under the Pennsylvania Crimes Code. If you are being harassed or intimidated by the defendant or any other person concerning your case, immediately notify the District Attorney or police and steps will be taken to protect you and your family.
Privacy Notice (Confidentiality)
The Jefferson County Victim Service Program shall hold verbal information confidential unless child abuse or involvement in a crime is disclosed. The Victim Service Program is a mandated reporter.
Emails, cordless phones and cell phones are not always secure and confidential. If you are worried about complete privacy, please contact this office by a corded phone at (814) 849-1641.
Recover From Financial Losses
RESTITUTION
Restitution can be ordered as part of the sentencing. You as the victim must submit your Restitution Claim Form along with receipts, estimates, bills or other proof of your losses. Your claim will be reviewed and the Court will decide on the dollar amount to be ordered.
CIVIL ACTIONS
Both restitution and compensation often do not cover a victim’s full economic losses, and neither pays for pain and suffering. A civil lawsuit may provide more complete compensation to a victim. The civil justice system does not attempt to determine the innocence or guilt of an offender. Offenders are not put into prison. Rather, civil courts attempt to decide whether an offender or third party is liable for injuries that were caused by a criminal act.
Victims seeking more information about civil suits or an attorney referral should call the National Center for Victims of Crime at: 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255)
VICTIMS COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
This program can cover any non-reimbursable medical costs, loss of wages or support, loss of ability to earn wages, funeral expenses, relocation expenses and crime scene clean-up cost. Stolen or damaged property, and pain and suffering are not covered under Crime Victims Compensation.
See Victims Compensation Section below for more information.
VICTIMS COMPENSATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
You may be able to get help with bills from Victims Compensation in if you had any of the following:
- Injuries from a crime, or
- If you are dependant for support upon a person who has had injuries or death from a crime, or
- If you have paid the funeral cost because of a death caused by a crime, or
- You had stolen cash benefits, such as Social Security, Retirement, Disability or child support, or
- You had to relocate due to domestic violence or certain other types of crime.
REQUIREMENTS OF VICTIMS
- Crime happened in Pennsylvania
- The crime was reported within 72 hours.
- Victim must fully cooperate with law enforcement.
- Costs must be more than $100.00 out of pocket. (Victims 60 years of age or older do not need the $100.00 minimum.)
- Claims must be filed within two years of the crime except in cases when the victim is a child.
VICTIMS COMPENSATION WILL NOT PAY:
- For stolen or damaged property.
- For pain and suffering.
- The person who caused the crime.
- For injuries from an auto; unless the vehicle was used on purpose to cause injury; or there was D.U.I. charges.
Victims Compensation is the payer of last resort. All other sources must be used before payment can be made.
There does not have to be an arrest made to apply for Victims Compensation, but the crime must be reported to the proper authorities or a Protection from Abuse Order filed within 72 hours unless there is good cause shown, or the victim is a minor and meets specific criteria.
The victim may be ineligible if the victim was engaged in illegal activities that caused the crime.
Additional Information
ADDRESS CONFIDENTIALITY PROGRAM (ACP)
If you are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, and the person who committed the crime against you does not know where you have moved or where you are about to move, this program may be able to help you stay safe. To apply or to learn more about the program, call the Victim Service Program or the Office of the Victim Advocate at 1-800-563-6399.
STATE INMATE LOCATOR
This website has information on locations of all inmates in State Prisons in Pennsylvania. It provides other information such as: PA Savin (which can let you register for inmates at the State and County Prisons), information on State Prisons, and inmates on death penalty cases. To access this website, go to: www.portal.state.pa.us Under State Agencies, you click on “Corrections” for the Department of Corrections Website.
STATE WEBSITE FOR CRIME VICTIMS
For additional information for victims of crime or to find a listing of other Victim Service Programs in other counties, you may go to: www.pacrimevictims.org
If you do not have access to a computer, you can call the Jefferson County Victim Service Program for more information about rights and services for victims of crime.
