Victims Rights - page two

VICTIMS RIGHTS

The District Attorney's Office is committed to helping victims of crime to our Victim-Witness Assistance Program.

This is largest program among District Attorney's nationwide assisting the crime victims. More than 100 staff members, aided by a team of volunteers, are available in victim centers throughout Los Angeles County.

We are determined to ensure that the scales of justice are balanced and that the rights of the victims are vigorously protected.

If you or someone you know is a crime victim in need help, if you want to volunteer to help victims, or if you simply want more information, please contact us at one of the offices listed here. We are here to help you.

For Information contact: District Attorneys's Office Victim-Witness Assistance Program.

210 W. Temple Street, Room 12-514, Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 974-7499 or (800) 773-7574.

Visit our Internet web site at: http://da.co.la.ca.us

	State Victim of Crime Information
Your Rights	1) Compensation Information
The D.A. and Crime Victims	2) Qualification Requirements
Victim Centers	3) Covered Losses

Your Rights

As a victim of crime or the family of a homicide victim, you have the right to:

1) Know the current status of your court case.

2) Be Assisted if called as a witness.

3) Attend all sentencing Proceedings and speak in person or address the court in writing at the time of sentencing to express your views concerning the defendant, the crime, and it's effect on you and your family.

4) Have the court order restitution from the convicted person.

5) Request to be notified of any hearing to review or consider parole eligibility or parole-setting for prisoners in your case, (You must keep the Board of Prison Terms informed of your current address if you wish to be notified)

6) Speak in person; submit a letter, audio or video tape recording; or send an attorney to the parole hearing to express your views about the crime and the person responsible.

The District Attorney's victim-Witness Assistance Program works to ensure that crime victims and their families receive these rights.

State Victim of Crime

Compensation Information:

Who is eligible for compensation?

1) A survivor of a victim who dies as a direct result of a crime.

2) a crime victim who suffers psychical or emotional injury, having sustained injury or threat of injury during the crime.

3) Certain family members and cohabitants of qualifying victim.

4) Family members who witnessed the crime.

5) People legally dependent on qualifying victims for support.

6) Children who witnessed domestic violence.

7) Sexual assault victims.

8) A qualified primary caretaker of a minor victim.

9) Anyone who takes legal responsibility and/or pays for the medical or funeral burial expenses of a victim who dies as a direct result of the crime.

Qualification Requirements:

1) The crime must be reported to the police, Sheriff, Highway Patrol or other law-enforcement agencies.

2) The victim must cooperate in the investigation in prosecution of any known suspects.

3) The victim may not have knowingly or willingly participated in the crime.

Covered Losses:

Medical, and dental, mental health counseling, funeral/ burial, domestic violence relocation, wage loss, loss of support, and job retraining expenses are covered if they are the direct result of a crime. The law limits the amount of expenses reimbursed and provides that other available sources of reimbursement must be used first.

The D.A. and Crime Victims

The District Attorney's Victim-Witness Assistance Program is available to help victims throughout the Los Angeles County

The information here list victims center's staffed with victim advocates trained to assist crime victims. Victim advocates are locating in courthouse, selected police stations, and hospitals.

In addition to enforcing victim rights in helping to obtain restitution and compensation, representatives of the victim program counsel crime victims and their families, provide referrals to social agencies, assist crime victims through the court process, and held return property used in evidence.

Advocates are specifically trained to assist child victims, the elderly, victims of sexual assault, victims of domestic violence, and victims with disabilities.

Bilingual staff members are available to assist victims in several languages.

Victim representatives work closely with prosecutors. The program assistants thousands of victims of crime s in Los Angeles County each year and is funded by the Office of Criminal Justice Planning.

Through program improvement and changes in legislation, District Attorney Steve Cooley is continually seeking to expand the assistance given to crime victims in Los Angeles County.

Victim Centers

Hours: Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Airport Courthouse

11701 S. La Cienega Blvd. # 6 1 1

Los Angeles CA 90045

(310) 727-6515

Alhambra Courthouse

150 W. Commonwealth Avenue

Alhambra, CA 91801

(626) 308-5431

Antelope Valley Courthouse

1110 W. Ave J