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Witness Intimidation
It is the policy of the District Attorney's Office to actively discourage the intimidation of victims through the promotion of appropriately restrictive bail conditions, the use of criminal contempt, the use of additional criminal charges and sanctions as provided by the Victim/Witness Intimidation Statute. In addition, victims are encouraged to use the victim/witness waiting room. To report intimidation please contact the assigned victim/witness coordinator or the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
If you are in immediate danger please call the Philadelphia Police Department by dialing 911.
Victim's Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP)
Being the victim of a crime can be costly. If you have medical bills resulting from a crime, have had cash stolen from you, or are responsible for paying funeral expenses for a loved one as a result of a homicide you may be eligible for reimbursement by the state through the Victim's Compensation
Assistance Program.
You may be eligible for compensation if you meet the following criteria:
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The crime occurred in Pennsylvania;
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The crime occurred within the last two years;
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The crime was reported to police within 72 hours (some exceptions apply); and
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The amount of money to be reimbursed is over $100 (for victims over 60 years of age no minimum amount is required).
The following expenses may be eligible for reimbursement:
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Loss of earnings due to physical disability resulting from the crime
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Loss of Support for financial dependants of a deceased victim
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Stolen Benefit Cash - social security, pension/retirement, disability
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Replacement of medical devices
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The District Attorney's Office provides assistance in filing compensation claims. If you have questions regarding compensation or need assistance in filling out the paperwork please contact the Victim Services Unit of the District Attorney's Office at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
To file a claim for compensation please contact the Victim's Compensation Assistance Program at 1-800-233-2339 or visit their website www.pccd.state.pa.us.
Please note that reimbursement comes from the state through the Victim's Compensation Assistance Program, not the District Attorney's Office or the City of Philadelphia.
Case Status
You have the right to be informed of the status of your case. For information please contact the Assistant District Attorney assigned to your case or the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
Court Accompaniment
If you are scheduled to appear in court as a victim or witness on a case and are nervous about the court process, the Victim Services Unit of the District Attorney's Office can provide a victim/witness coordinator to accompany you to court. This victim/witness coordinator will meet you at the courthouse and sit with you during the trial or hearing. The victim/witness coordinator accompanying you will be part of the unit handling your case and will be familiar with the court procedure for your type of case and will be able to explain each step of the process.
If you would like a victim/witness coordinator to come to court with you please contact the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov to be directed to the appropriate victim/witness coordinator for your case.
Victim Witness Waiting Room
The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has a separate Victim/Witness Room located in the Criminal Justice Center (1301 Filbert Street) and at Family Court (1801 Vine Street). The waiting rooms are set up to provide a private area for victims, witnesses, and their families to wait prior to testifying. If you would like to use the waiting room please speak to the Assistant District Attorney assigned to your case or contact the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or
DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
Transportation
If you are disabled or elderly, over 60, we may be able to provide you transportation to and from court. Please speak with the Assistant District Attorney assigned to your case or contact the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
Restitution
As a victim of a crime, you may be entitled to restitution. Restitution is intended as a financial payment paid by the defendant to compensate for damages and expenses incurred by the victim as a direct result of the crime. You may request restitution for your damaged or stolen property, as well as any medical expenses incurred. Restitution can only be ordered if the defendant is found guilty. Restitution must be ordered at the time of sentencing. Therefore, it is important that you submit your request as soon as possible.
Restitution questionnaires are sent to all victims as soon as an arrest is made. If you have not received one, you may fill out and submit the following form; Restitution Form. If you have financial losses due to the crime, and you intend to request restitution, it is important to fill out the questionnaire and send it back as soon as possible. For additional questions or information you may contact your Assistant District Attorney or the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
Once ordered, the defendant is responsible for making payment to the victim or witness by way of the Philadelphia Adult or Juvenile Probation Offices. You may contact Adult Probation at (215) 683-1453 or (215) 683-1466 or Juvenile Probation at (215) 686-7058 for the status of your restitution. If the offender is in a State Prison you should contact the Office of the Victim Advocate for payment status at 1-800-322-4472 or www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova.
Victim Impact Statement (VIS)
If a defendant is found guilty he/she will be scheduled for a sentencing hearing. During this phase the victim or the victim's family will have the opportunity to address the Judge regarding the physical, emotional, and mental effects that the crime has made in the victim's everyday life. This statement is taken into account by the Judge when determining the defendant's sentence. The victim/witness coordinator in the unit handling your case is able to assist you in preparing a victim impact statement.
Please note that the writing of a victim impact statement is voluntary.
If you would like assistance or have questions regarding writing a victim impact statement please contact the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov to be directed to the appropriate Coordinator.
Property Return
During the course of a criminal investigation and trial a victim's personal belongings may be held by the police or the District Attorney's Office to be tested or used as evidence. Once the case is over, the victim has a right to have these items returned. If you had personal property held during the prosecution of a criminal case and need assistance in having these items returned please contact the Victim Services Unit of the District Attorney's Office at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov, or the unit your case was in if you have that information. You will be directed to a victim/witness coordinator who will be able to assist you in getting your property returned to you.
Witness Fees
As a victim and/or witness of crime you are entitled to receive a $5 fee for each court appearance. You must request this witness fee from the Assistant District Attorney in court at the end of your case. The fee will take approximately 4-8 weeks to process. If you have any questions please speak with the Assistant District Attorney assigned to your case or contact the Victim Services Unit at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov.
Release Notification
When an offender is released from prison or is scheduled for a parole hearing, the victim(s) on that case have the right to be notified of the status of the offender's release. In order to be notified of such events the victim must register with the appropriate program. Once enrolled in the program a crime victim will be notified of the offender's release, parole hearings, escape, recapture, transfer, etc.
If you are a crime victim and the offender on your case has been sentenced to serve time in the Philadelphia County Prison system, you must register with the Philadelphia Prison Notification Program, (215) 685-7978. If the offender has been sentenced to serve time in a State Correctional Facility you must register with the Office of the Victim Advocate, 1-800-563-6399 or www.pbpp.state.pa.us/ova/.
The District Attorney's Office can provide the registration materials for both programs along with providing assistance in filling out the registration form in court or over the phone. If you would like a copy of the registration form or need assistance in completing it please contact the Victim Services Unit of the District Attorney's Office at (215) 686-8027 or DA.Victimservices@phila.gov to be directed to the appropriate victim/witness coordinator. Please note that you MUST be registered in order to be notified of an offender's release.
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