If you are a victim...
Did you know that your state may reimburse you if you are the victim of a crime....
Did you know that you have a right to be informed about everything that is happening with the trial....
Did you know that as a victim you have a right to be told if and when the bad guy is going to be released from jail...
Did you know that as a victim of a crime you have the right to be a part of the case from day one...
and be notified of all hearings and trials before they start in a timely manner, and be present at those hearings and trials...
If you are a victim of a crime of any kind their is help available for you.... Contact the Center for Victims Rights for information now...
Crime Victims DO Have Rights
Many crimes are reported in the newspapers and on TV and though they state the facts going the extra mile by announcing helpful information for the victims is left out.
Victim Compensation is available in every state and though money is set aside only for this purpose not enough people are aware of the help available to them.
In Florida crime victims have 28 pages of rights yet you so often hear "the criminals have all the rights". The difference is criminals have everyone from the SA to their attorney to other public entities telling them what their rights are and not enough people willing to let the victims know where to get help and to find out what their rights are!
Definitions that will help you
The following are some terms and their definitions that will help you understand the Judicial System:
PROSECUTOR: Every criminal case is handled by an Assistant State Attorney who is a lawyer. The job of the Assistant State Attorney is to prosecute those who break the laws of the State of Florida.
VICTIM: A victim of a crime is someone who has suffered psychological, physical or financial harm because of direct criminal actions by someone else.
WITNESS: A witness is someone who may know something about a crime that has been committed. The slightest information about a case may be important for successful prosecution. Please contact the State Attorney's Office if you are harassed or threatened because you are a witness on a criminal case. If the State Attorney's Office is closed, contact your local law enforcement agency.
Victims Bill of Rights, Florida
RESTITUTION: You have the right to request restitution from the defendant. The court may order restitution for medical bills, psychological care, lost wages, property damage or loss and funeral or related expenses if death occurred. You may be required to provide documentation of your loss.
VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT: You have the right to submit a Victim Impact Statement which can be reviewed by our office and the court. The Impact Statement provides you with the opportunity to express your feelings about the crime, its impact on your life and your thoughts on sentencing. The Impact Statement is also used to record your loss, expenses, or injuries you received as the result of having been a Victim.
