|
Introduction
The Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) is
responsible for investigating
a wide range of federal
crimes. Part of the FBI’s
work involves providing
information and assistance
to victims of those crimes.
Crime can have a devastating
effect on victims and
their families who may
need help coping with
the impact of victimization.
FBI Victim Specialists
are highly trained professionals
who can assist you and
coordinate with other
agencies in providing
you with the support,
information, and resources
that can effectively meet
your needs. Victim Specialists
are available 24 hours
a day, 7 days a week.
A federal investigation
can be both complex and
lengthy. It may involve
several agencies, some
federal and some local.
This brochure provides
information to help you
deal with the needs and
questions that often arise
during an investigation.
It describes your rights
under federal law and
the types of services
that may be available
to you. Please contact
your FBI Victim Specialist
if you have any questions.
As a Crime Victim, You
Have the Following Rights
under 18 United States
Code, Section 3771:
- The right to be reasonably
protected from the accused;
- The
right to reasonable,
accurate, and timely
notice of any public
court proceeding,
involving the crime
or of any release or
escape
of the accused;
- The
right not to be excluded
from any such
public court proceeding,
unless the court, after
reviewing clear and
convincing evidence,
determines that
testimony by the victim
would be materially
altered if the victim
heard other
testimony at that proceeding;
- The
right to be reasonably
heard at any public
proceeding in the district
court
involving the release,
plea, sentencing, or
any parole proceeding;
- The
right to confer with
the attorney for
the government in the
case;
- The right to
full and timely restitution
as
provided in law;
- The
right to proceedings
free from unreasonable
delay;
- The right to
be treated with fairness
and with
respect for the victim’s
dignity and privacy.
We will make our best
efforts to ensure you
are afforded the rights
described. Most of these
rights pertain to events
occurring after the indictment
of an individual for the
crime, and it will be
the responsibility of
the prosecuting United
States Attorney’s
Office to ensure you are
afforded those rights.
You may also seek the
advice of a private attorney
with respect to these
rights.
If You Are Threatened
or Harassed
Your safety is paramount.
If anyone threatens you
or you feel that you are
being harassed because
of your cooperation with
this investigation, there
are available remedies.
If you are in immediate
danger, contact your local
law enforcement agency
immediately. Also, you
should contact your Victim
Specialist or the Case
Agent and inform them
of the situation. There
are penalties for harassment
and other threats; therefore,
it is important that you
report any incident as
soon as possible.
If You Need Financial
Help or Support Services
All states have crime
victims compensation programs
that help cover some expenses
resulting from violent
crimes. Your state program
may pay for medical and
mental health care costs,
lost wages and support,
and funeral and burial
expenses not covered by
insurance or other benefits.
Your FBI Victim Specialist
may be able to help intercede
on your behalf with employers
and creditors, when appropriate.
In addition, your Victim
Specialist can refer you
to other types of programs
and services, such as
emergency housing, counseling,
support groups, and credit
counseling. If the offender
is convicted or pleads
guilty, the court may
order payment by the offender,
called restitution, which
may help cover expenses
and losses caused by your
victimization.
If Your Property Was
Stolen or Held As Evidence
If your property was
stolen, we hope to recover
it as part of our investigation
and return it as soon
as possible. If your property
is held as evidence, we
will notify you, maintain
it in good condition,
and make every effort
to see that it is returned
to you as quickly as possible
when it is no longer needed
as evidence. Please understand
that some property we
receive as evidence has
been damaged during the
course of the crime.
If an Arrest Is Made
Every effort will be
made to notify you if
a suspect is apprehended.
If criminal charges are
filed, you will be contacted
by the United States Attorney’s
Office (USAO) assigned
to handle your case. Each
USAO has a Victim Witness
Coordinator to help answer
your questions and deal
with your concerns during
the prosecution of the
case.
Victim Notification System
(VNS)
VNS is a free service
that provides victims
of federal crime with
information and notification
regarding the status of
the case and the offender’s
custody status, to include
court hearings, sentencing,
parole and release. Information
is provided in English
or Spanish.
To access this system,
your Victim Specialist
will provide you with
a Victim Identification
Number (VIN) and a Personal
Identification Number
(PIN). If you have chosen
to participate in VNS,
but have not received
these numbers, please
contact the Victim Specialist
at your local FBI field
office.
You will receive letters,
as updates to your case
are available. You may
also call the VNS Call
Center at 1-866-365-4968
or access VNS online at
http://www.notify.usdoj.gov for current case, court,
or custody information.
You will be prompted to
provide both your VIN
and PIN when contacting
the VNS Call Center. The
Call Center and VNS is
available on the Internet
during the following hours
(Eastern Standard Time):
Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. – 3:00
a.m.
Saturday 6:00 a.m. – 12:00
a.m.
Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00
a.m.
Limited Confidentiality
Statement
As your Victim Specialist,
I certainly am here to
assist you as you go through
the criminal justice process.
However, you should know
that I work as part of
a team with the FBI Agent
and personnel from the
United States Attorney’s
Office. Discussions that
you have with me may not
be considered completely
confidential. As part
of the team, there are
times when I may need
to share information you
provide with the other
team members. This is
especially important if
you share information
regarding your safety,
a medical emergency, when
the information relates
to child abuse and/or
when the nondisclosure
of the information could
interfere with the investigation
or prosecution of the
case.
If you have any questions
about limited confidentiality,
you may contact me for
clarification.
Remember, your interests
are important to us. Many
victims have questions
and we are here to help
provide you with answers
and practical assistance.
Important Contact Numbers
FBI Victim Specialist:
Name:
Phone:
FBI Special Agent:
Name:
Phone:
Information Card
Victim Identification
Number (VIN):
Personal Identification
Number (PIN):
Investigation/Court Case
Number:
|
