Roanoke Police Department
Crime Victim and Witness Rights
Victim: Anyone suffering physical, emotional or financial harm as a direct result of a felony or certain misdemeanors. This definition includes spouses and children of all victims, mentally or physically incapacitated victims, or victims of homicide. As the victim of a crime, you are entitled to certain rights under Virginia's Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act (also called the Victim Bill of Rights) and related laws.
As the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to information about:
Protection
Financial assistance and social services, including the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund
Address and telephone number confidentiality
Closed preliminary hearing or use of closed-circuit television if you are the victim of a sexual offense
Separate waiting area during court proceedings
The right to remain in the courtroom during a criminal trial or proceeding
As the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to assistance with:
Obtaining protection
Obtaining property held by law enforcement agencies
Intercession services with your employer
Obtaining advanced notification of court proceedings
Receiving the services of an interpreter
Preparing a Victim Impact Statement
Seeking restitution
As the victim of a crime, you may be entitled to notification of:
Changes in court dates
Changes in the status of the defendant, if he/she is being held in a jail or a correctional facility
The opportunity to prepare a written Victim Impact Statement prior to sentencing of a defendant
Steps you need to take to receive confidentiality, notification or release information:
1. Confidentiality: To request confidentiality, you must file a Request for Confidentiality by Crime Victim Form (DC-301) with the magistrate, court, Commonwealth's Attorneys Office or law enforcement agency in the locality where the crime occurred.
2. Court Dates: You must give the Commonwealth's Attorneys Office your current name, address and telephone number in writing if you wish to be notified in advance of the scheduled court dates for preliminary hearings, trials, sentencing hearings and other proceedings in your case.
3. Information about release or status of defendant: You must give the sheriff, jail superintendent or Department of Corrections your current name, address, telephone number and defendant name in writing if you wish to be notified about the changes in the status of the defendant or inmate.
Directory of Crime Victim Assistance:
| Brain Injury Association of Virginia | 1-800-334-8443 |
| Compassionate Friends National Office | 1-630-990-0010 |
| National Center for Victims of Crime | 1-800-394-2255 |
| National Organization of Victim Assistance | 1-202-232-6682 |
| Crisis Line for the Handicapped | 1-800-426-4263 |
| Parents of Murdered Children | 1-888-818-7662 |
| Virginia Courts Public Information | 1-877-801-2303 |
| VA Crime Victim Assistance Information Line | 1-888-887-3418 |
| VA Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund | 1-800-552-4007 |
| VA Department of Corrections | 1-804-674-3243 |
| VA Department of Criminal Justice Services | 1-804-786-4000 |
| VA Department of Mental Health | 1-804-786-3988 |
| VA Department of Motor Vehicles | 1-804-367-6605 |
| VA Department of Rehabilitative Services | 1-800-552-5019 |
| VA Department of Social Services Hotline | 1-800-552-7977 |
| VA Information and Notification Everyday | 1-800-467-4943 |
| VA Lawyer Referral Service | 1-800-552-7977 |
| VA Offender Status Hotline | 1-800-560-4292 |
| VA Victim Notification Program | 1-800-370-0459 |
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