VICTIM RIGHTS

Susan M. Vogt - Coordinator
Beverly Strickrodt - Assistant Coordinator
June Thompson - Legal Secretary

Being the victim of a crime can be a traumatic, painful and expensive experience. The intrusion and violation often leaves victims and their families with feelings of anger and frustration. Victims look to the Criminal Justice System to provide them with justice and vindication. Most have never had any experience with the courts and, at the worst of times, find themselves suddenly thrust into an unfamiliar and complex system. It is the intent of the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney, Victim Rights Unit to ensure that crime victims are treated with fairness and respect as their cases move through the Criminal Justice System. Our Victims Unit staff is dedicated to meeting the needs and rights of crime victims throughout the processing of their criminal case. The Victim Rights Unit provides constitutionally mandated rights to all victims of felony, serious misdemeanor and corresponding juvenile crimes.

Services Provided by the Victim Rights Unit in addition to the provision of mandated rights, if requested and/or needed by the victim:
- Courtroom orientation
- Advocate accompaniment to court with victims -Private waiting and meeting area
- Referrals
- Victim memorial participation
- Assistance in filing and application for compensation through the State of Michigan Crime Victims Services Commission
- Outreach to elderly, hospitalized and special needs victims
- Community presentations
- Employer intervention for victims required to testify
- Assistance with return of personal property not required as evidence
- Facilitation of homicide survivors support group

Crime Victims' Rights During Prosecution and After Sentencing; upon request, victims can choose to exercise one or all of the following rights:
- Be notified of all the proceedings occurring in the case
- Attend all proceedings the defendant attends
- Confer with the Prosecutor assigned to the case prior to trial
- Receive the address and telephone number of the probation department which is to prepare the pre-sentence investigation report
- Submit a written victim impact statement to the court
- Make an oral impact statement at the sentencing
- Be informed of conviction of defendant
- Be informed of the sentence received
- Information on defendant's incarceration, i.e. location, escape, release Right to attend and address the Parole Board
- Notification of any appellate proceedings and their outcome
- Defendant's HIV test results on designated convictions

State of Michigan Crime Victims Compensation
This program helps pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, funeral bills or financial support for people who suffer physical and/or emotional injury as a direct result of a crime in Michigan. The following information highlights some of the Crime Victims Compensation Board's requirements and coverage, for detailed criteria please contact the Board directly at 1-877-251-7373 or our Victims Unit at 517-788¬-4071.

There is a one-time maximum award of $25,000.
$350 a week is the maximum payment for lost earnings or support.

Psychological counseling – 35 hourly sessions for victim

$80.00 therapist or licensed counselor

$125.00 psychologist or licensed physician

Homicide Victims Only

$5,000 is the maximum funeral payment. This may include $500 for grief counseling. Victim counseling expenses with some limitations may also be available. Crime Scene clean-up $500.00 – if the crime scene is located at the residence of the victim.

It is important to note:
- That a crime must be reported to the police within 48 hours after the injury unless there was a good reason for a delay, or the injured person is a child.

- The victim must be willing to cooperate with the police and prosecutor. A person cannot have committed or be an accomplice to the crime.

- Inmates are not eligible.

- A claim will be rejected if the victim caused the injury or was doing something illegal and dangerous at the time of the injury.

Not covered by the Crime Victims Compensation Board:
- Property loss or damage
- Pain and suffering
- Relocation costs, living expenses, or the costs of participating in a trial
- Loss of earnings for an injured person's family members
- In traffic cases crime victims compensation is limited to the unpaid balance on funeral expenses after no-fault insurance pays.