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.
Law Enforcement Victim Rights Notification
- Law enforcement agency responding to or investigating an incident shall provide basic information on the rights and services available for crime victims and the availability of crime victims’ compensation to the direct victim or a member of the direct victim’s family.
PA SAVIN: Pennsylvania’s Automated Victim Notification Service
PA SAVIN is Pennsylvania’s automated victim notification system. As a victim of crime, this service provides you with free, confidential notification regarding an offender’s release, transfer or escape. The PA SAVIN service includes offenders under the supervision of county jails, state prisons, and state parole.
If the offender is in a county jail, you, your family, and your circle of support can receive notifications on offender movements:
- When the offender is released from jail
- If the offender escapes
- If the offender is transferred to another location
If the offender is in a state prison or on state parole, there are additional notifications and services that you, as a crime victim, can receive from the Office of the Victim Advocate.
(You do not have to be the victim of the offender. You can look-up and/or register for anyone and it is confidential.)
Notifications and services include:
- Automated notification via PA SAVIN of transfers, release, escape and other types of custody changes
- An opportunity to express your feelings about the release of the offender. This is a way to let the decision makers know about any concerns you may have for the safety of you and your family and to request certain conditions of release be put in place if the offender is approved for release.
DO NOT DEPEND ON THIS SERVICE ALONE FOR YOUR SAFETY. IF YOU FEEL YOUR SAFETY IS AT RISK, TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.
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.
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.
Click “Crime Victims Compensation Information” below for further details.
Crime Victims Compensation Information
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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.
