Victim Witness

Victim Witness Assistance Program

Program Director - Mrs. Taylor -

266 W. Main Street, Alleghany County Courthouse

Covington, Va. 24426

Telephone: 540-965-6366

Fax: 540-965-6334

E-Mail: Victassist@aol.com

Mission Statement

The primary goal of the ACCVWP is to provide direct services to victims and witnesses of crime. These services are defined as those efforts that respond to the emotional and physical needs of crime victims, assist victims of crime to stabilize their lives after victimization, assist victims to understand and participate in the criminal justice system, and provide victims with information and referrals for services. The program advocates for the victim to assure that the victim of crime is accorded fairness, dignity and respect by the officers, employees of the Commonwealth and it's political subdivisions and officers of the courts as provided by law.

Definition of crime:

The Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act and most other victim's rights laws recognize he following individuals as crime victims:

Anyone suffering physical , emotional or financial hard as a direct result of a felony or certain misdemeanor crimes, which include but are not limited to domestic violence, sex crimes, assault and batter and DUI (when a victim is involved)

Virginia's Crime Victim Rights Act:

"The Crime Victim and Rights Act" (usually referred to as the "Victim's Bill of Rights") was made law by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995. The purpose of this law is to ensure that victims and witnesses of crime:

-Have the opportunity to make the courts aware of the full impact of crime.

-Are treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity and that their privacy is protected where the law allows.

Services Provided:

Monitoring restitution payments to ensure that they are being made in a timely fashion, assist in filing for Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, provide intervention and follow-up counseling, notify you of the prisoner's status, provide you with employer intercession, Assist you in writing Impact Statements, assist in return of property being held for evidence, update you on case status, go to court with you, refer you to other resources, assist in obtaining protection, advance notice of judicial proceedings.

SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE

All information discussed and pertaining to cases being handled by the ACCVWP is kept confidential and only discussed with persons needing to know in order to properly prosecute the case or to whom justice or public interest requires disclosure.

For more information, please contact the program at the number provided above.