If the court orders restitution at sentencing, it may

consider the offender’s present and future ability to pay.

If the defendant has assets, the court may order

restitution to be paid immediately or in scheduled

payments. In many cases, however, the proceeds of the

crime are no longer available and the defendant does

not have sufficient assets to pay restitution. It is

possible, therefore, that a victim may not receive

restitution.

Other remedies may include a civil suit or small claims

court action. Restitution cannot be avoided through

bankruptcy.

Assisting With Your Recovery

Victims and witnesses are emotionally affected by crime.

Although everyone reacts differently, victims and

witnesses commonly report some of these behaviors:

■ Increased concern for your personal safety and that of

family members. You may naturally be more cautious.

■ Trouble concentrating on the job.

■ Difficulty handling everyday problems or feeling

overwhelmed.

■ Going over the circumstances of the crime again and

again, and thinking about what might have gone

differently.

■ Difficulties from financial loss.

These problems are normal, and they may decrease with

time. Talking with the Postal Inspector handling your

case or a Victim/Witness Coordinator may assist in your

recovery. If the defendant either pleads guilty or is found

guilty, you have the opportunity, before sentencing, to

submit an “Impact Statement” describing the emotional,

physical, and financial effects of the crime on your life

and that of your family. A Victim/Witness Coordinator

can help you prepare the statement, if needed.
Your Rights

As a victim or witness of a crime, you have these rights:

1. The right to be reasonably protected from the

accused. 

2. The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of

any public court proceeding, or any parole

proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or

escape of the accused. 

3. 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. 

4. The right to be reasonably heard at any public

proceeding in the district court involving release, plea,

or sentencing, or any parole proceeding. 

5. The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for

the government in the case. 

6. The right to full and timely restitution as provided in

law. 

7. The right to proceedings free from unreasonable

delay. 

8. The right to be treated with fairness and with respect

for the victim’s dignity and privacy.

As an agency of federal law enforcement professionals,

the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is concerned about

problems that may be experienced by victims and

witnesses of crime. We know that, as a victim or

witness, you may feel anger, confusion, frustration, or

fear as a result of your experience.

We have prepared this information to help you deal with

problems and questions that may surface during an

investigation and to provide you with a better

understanding of the criminal justice system. We have

included information and services available to you as a

victim or witness. 

We hope this information will be helpful. We encourage

you to contact the Postal Inspector handling your case

or your Victim/Witness Coordinator if you have further

questions.
Your Rights

As a victim or witness of a crime, you have these rights:

1. The right to be reasonably protected from the

accused. 

2. The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of

any public court proceeding, or any parole

proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or

escape of the accused. 

3. 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. 

4. The right to be reasonably heard at any public

proceeding in the district court involving release, plea,

or sentencing, or any parole proceeding. 

5. The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for

the government in the case. 

6. The right to full and timely restitution as provided in

law. 

7. The right to proceedings free from unreasonable

delay. 

8. The right to be treated with fairness and with respect

for the victim’s dignity and privacy.

As an agency of federal law enforcement professionals,

the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is concerned about

problems that may be experienced by victims and

witnesses of crime. We know that, as a victim or

witness, you may feel anger, confusion, frustration, or

fear as a result of your experience.

We have prepared this information to help you deal with

problems and questions that may surface during an

investigation and to provide you with a better

understanding of the criminal justice system. We have

included information and services available to you as a

victim or witness. 

We hope this information will be helpful. We encourage

you to contact the Postal Inspector handling your case

or your Victim/Witness Coordinator if you have further

questions.
Your Rights

As a victim or witness of a crime, you have these rights:

1. The right to be reasonably protected from the

accused. 

2. The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of

any public court proceeding, or any parole

proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or

escape of the accused. 

3. 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. 

4. The right to be reasonably heard at any public

proceeding in the district court involving release, plea,

or sentencing, or any parole proceeding. 

5. The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for

the government in the case. 

6. The right to full and timely restitution as provided in

law. 

7. The right to proceedings free from unreasonable

delay. 

8. The right to be treated with fairness and with respect

for the victim’s dignity and privacy.

As an agency of federal law enforcement professionals,

the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is concerned about

problems that may be experienced by victims and

witnesses of crime. We know that, as a victim or

witness, you may feel anger, confusion, frustration, or

fear as a result of your experience.

We have prepared this information to help you deal with

problems and questions that may surface during an

investigation and to provide you with a better

understanding of the criminal justice system. We have

included information and services available to you as a

victim or witness. 

We hope this information will be helpful. We encourage

you to contact the Postal Inspector handling your case

or your Victim/Witness Coordinator if you have further

questions.
If the court orders restitution at sentencing, it may

consider the offender’s present and future ability to pay.

If the defendant has assets, the court may order

restitution to be paid immediately or in scheduled

payments. In many cases, however, the proceeds of the

crime are no longer available and the defendant does

not have sufficient assets to pay restitution. It is

possible, therefore, that a victim may not receive

restitution.

Other remedies may include a civil suit or small claims

court action. Restitution cannot be avoided through

bankruptcy.

Assisting With Your Recovery

Victims and witnesses are emotionally affected by crime.

Although everyone reacts differently, victims and

witnesses commonly report some of these behaviors:

■ Increased concern for your personal safety and that of

family members. You may naturally be more cautious.

■ Trouble concentrating on the job.

■ Difficulty handling everyday problems or feeling

overwhelmed.

■ Going over the circumstances of the crime again and

again, and thinking about what might have gone

differently.

■ Difficulties from financial loss.

These problems are normal, and they may decrease with

time. Talking with the Postal Inspector handling your

case or a Victim/Witness Coordinator may assist in your

recovery. If the defendant either pleads guilty or is found

guilty, you have the opportunity, before sentencing, to

submit an “Impact Statement” describing the emotional,

physical, and financial effects of the crime on your life

and that of your family. A Victim/Witness Coordinator

can help you prepare the statement, if needed.
If the court orders restitution at sentencing, it may

consider the offender’s present and future ability to pay.

If the defendant has assets, the court may order

restitution to be paid immediately or in scheduled

payments. In many cases, however, the proceeds of the

crime are no longer available and the defendant does

not have sufficient assets to pay restitution. It is

possible, therefore, that a victim may not receive

restitution.

Other remedies may include a civil suit or small claims

court action. Restitution cannot be avoided through

bankruptcy.

Assisting With Your Recovery

Victims and witnesses are emotionally affected by crime.

Although everyone reacts differently, victims and

witnesses commonly report some of these behaviors:

■ Increased concern for your personal safety and that of

family members. You may naturally be more cautious.

■ Trouble concentrating on the job.

■ Difficulty handling everyday problems or feeling

overwhelmed.

■ Going over the circumstances of the crime again and

again, and thinking about what might have gone

differently.

■ Difficulties from financial loss.

These problems are normal, and they may decrease with

time. Talking with the Postal Inspector handling your

case or a Victim/Witness Coordinator may assist in your

recovery. If the defendant either pleads guilty or is found

guilty, you have the opportunity, before sentencing, to

submit an “Impact Statement” describing the emotional,

physical, and financial effects of the crime on your life

and that of your family. A Victim/Witness Coordinator

can help you prepare the statement, if needed.