VICTIM SERVICES:

 

The Probation Department is committed to providing help and services to victims of crime who find themselves overwhelmed by their circumstances and the criminal justice system. We can answer questions unique to crime victims such as:

• How can I face the suspect in court?
• I'm unable to work, so how can I pay the rent?
• Who will clean up the blood?
• How can I pay my medical bills?
• When is the next court proceeding on a case?

Our Victim Advocates are equipped to offer emotional support, financial links and important information about how the system works. The intent of the Victim Services Program is to reduce the trauma and insensitivity that victims suffer following a crime. Advocates navigate victims through the legal system, directing them to agencies and organizations that offer assistance and emergency services. Our program has an in-house treatment component staffed by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Interns who can provide free therapy to all crime victims.

 

Victim Services Available

Victim Services offers comprehensive services to victims and witnesses of all types of crimes. Assistance is provided from the moment the crime occurs for as long as assistance is needed; there is no cutoff for assistance by the program. The Program was created by the passage of Section 13835 et seq. of the California State Penal Code, which mandates local comprehensive centers for victim and witness assistance throughout California. In the County of Yuba, this assistance is administered through the Probation Department.

 

Mandatory Victim Services:

• Crisis intervention
• Emergency assistance
• Resource and referral assistance
• Direct follow-up counseling
• Property return assistance
• Orientation to the Criminal Justice System
• Court escort & court support
• Case status & case disposition information
• Notification of family and friends
• Employer notification
• Victim of crime claims assistance

 

Optional Victim Services:

• Creditor Intervention
• Child care
• Restitution information
• Witness notification
• Funeral and burial arrangements
• Crime prevention information
• Temporary restraining order information
• Transportation assistance
• Court waiting area
• Employer intervention

 

In California, victims of crime have a constitutional right to restitution. Restitution involves restoring economic losses incurred by crime victims or returning what was taken away from them as a result of a crime. It is the policy of the Chief Probation Officer that all department staff members will assist victims to obtain restitution from convicted defendants in every appropriate case. The department seeks to accomplish this by ensuring that the victim restitution is listed in all presentence reports in all criminal cases.

Victims of violent crimes can also receive some reimbursement for eligible losses from the state. The California Victim Compensation Board (State Board) administers the program that is primarily funded by restitution fines that courts order convicted offenders to pay in every case. The application for the Crime Victim Compensation can be found at www.vcgcb.ca.gov.

The victim claims will only pay crime-related bills not covered by insurance or other sources. Reimbursements cannot exceed a total of $70,000 for a particular crime. Each of the above losses may have their own limits. You do not need a lawyer or other representatives to receive payments through the State Board Victim Compensation Board.

If you have been a victim of a crime and need assistance, you can call 530-741-6275. A Victim Advocate will speak with you and determine how we can assist you. Program services are provided free of charge, and there is no legal citizenship requirement to receive assistance.

 

 

Victims Memorial Website:

http://victimsmemorial.co.yuba.ca.us