U.S. Department of Justice

INFORMATION AND

ASSISTANCE

FOR

FEDERAL CRIME

VICTIMS AND WITNESSES

United States Department of Justice

Criminal Division

Victim-Witness Program

We are here to assist you as you go through the criminal

justice process. However, you should know that we work

as part of a team with the criminal prosecutor and the

investigative case agent. We do our best to keep sensitive

information confidential. As part of the team, there are

times when we 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, information that relates to child

abuse, and/or information that is critical to the investigation or prosecution of the case.

www.usdoj.gov/criminal/vns/

Jennifer Parks

Victim-Witness Specialist

(202)305-9286

U.S. Department of Justice

Criminal Division

Washington, D.C. 20005

National Organization for Victim Assistance

800-TRY-NOVA

National Center for Victims of Crime

800-FYI-CALL

If anyone threatens you or you feel that you are being

harassed because of your cooperation with this case,

there are remedies available. Your safety is paramount. Please contact the investigating agent or a

Victim-Witness Specialist immediately. They may

discuss with you additional safety measures and assistance such as temporary restraining orders, possible

relocation, or other appropriate referrals.

• Notification of case events,

usually by letter or E-mail, through

the Victim Notification System. If

the defendant is convicted and sentenced to the custody of the Bureau

of Prisons, notification will continue

regarding the defendant’s release date, furlough, or 

escape unless you do not wish to be notified. 

However, you must keep us informed of any 

address, E-mail, or telephone number

changes.

• Referrals to other agencies or professionals who may

provide counseling, shelter, and/or compensation.

If you are a victim or a witness, you are entitled to:

• Aseparate waiting area

away from defendant and

defense witnesses.

• Courtroom support.

• Information and clerical assistance with travel, lodging, parking, and reimbursement for mandatory

court appearances and pre-trial interviews.

LIMITED CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

CONTACT INFORMATION

IF YOU ARE THREATENED

OR HARASSED

OTHER ASSISTANCE & SERVICES

If you are a victim, you are entitled to:

A Federal Courthouse
The following information has been prepared to help

answer questions that may arise. We have included

information which will give you an understanding of

how the Federal criminal justice system works.

The role of the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal

Division, is to prosecute cases fairly and justly. Our

actions on your behalf do not constitute an attorneyclient relationship and we cannot give you legal

advice. The interests of the United States may occasionally diverge from your interests as a victim.

The Crime Victims’Rights Act gives victims of offenses

charged in Federal court the following rights:

• 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 receiving 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 release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding. • The reasonable right to confer with the

attorney for the Government in the case. • The right to full

and timely restitution as provided in the 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 provided the rights described. You may seek the advice

of your own attorney with respect to these rights.

If you believe that an employee of the United States

Department of Justice failed to provide you with

one or more of these rights, you may file an administrative complaint, as provided under 28 CFR § 45.10.

Please contact the United States Department of

Justice to obtain information about these procedures.

As the case moves through the Federal court system, there

are several events that typically occur.

INVESTIGATION

ARREST

DETENTION HEARING (POSSIBLE)

The Government is seeking to detain the defendant and

may do so based on the statement of the prosecutor or by

presenting witnesses and exhibits.

PRELIMINARY HEARING

A Judge determines if there is sufficient probable cause

to charge the defendant. This only occurs if the defendant has not been charged by the grand jury.

or

GRAND JURY HEARING

A Grand Jury hears evidence in a non-public proceeding

and may issue a formal charge called an Indictment.

An Arrest Warrant may be issued at this time.

ARRAIGNMENT

A defendant appears in court and hears the charge(s)

against him/her. At this time, the defendant typically

enters a plea of not guilty.

DISCOVERY, PLEA NEGOTIATIONS & MOTIONS

This may include hearings & rulings on motions concerning the admissibility of evidence, trial issues, or a possible

guilty plea to some or all of the charges by the defendant.

TRIAL

The Government presents its case with witnesses,

followed by the defendant’s case. The trial generally

results in a verdict by a jury.

PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION & REPORT PREPARED

After a finding of guilt, a pre-sentence report is prepared for

the judge by U.S. Probation, at which time you have the

right, in addition to the previously described rights, to

submit written victim impact statements.

SENTENCE

APPEAL

StateVictim Compensation Programs

The State Victim Compensation Program for certain

states helps cover expenses for victims of violent crime

who have suffered physical or psychological injury even

if the case is brought in Federal Court. The State Crime

Victim Compensation Program may be able to reimburse you for crime related expenses such as medical

care, mental health expenses, and lost wages due to

crime related injuries. To obtain further information and

an application, contact the Victim-Witness Specialist

listed on the back of this brochure.

Restitution

Under Federal law, restitution is mandatory for many

(but not all) types of crimes. It is very helpful for victims who may be entitled to restitution, to keep a record

of their losses, medical expenses, property damage and

counseling expenses, with receipts when possible. This

information will be requested by the Probation Department if the defendant is convicted and ordered to pay

restitution.

Many victims of and witnesses to crime are emotionally

affected by their experience and although everyone reacts

differently, many people report common reactions such as:

• Anger

• Feelings of panic and/or anxiety

• Nightmares and sleep pattern changes

• Feelings of self-doubt, shame or guilt

• Reliving what happened

• Depression, difficulty concentrating

• Increased concern for personal safety and that of 

their family

Many people continue to have these responses for some

time after the crime. The Victim-Witness Specialist can

assist you in finding appropriate support services.

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS AND

WITNESSES OF FEDERAL CRIME

VICTIMS’ RIGHTS

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS RESTITUTION AND COMPENSATION

THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF CRIME