| One (1) officer is assigned to the Support Services Division to assist victims and witnesses of any type of crime. This officer checks to ensure that victimes of family violence are provided with necessary assistance that they may be entitled. This officer works closely with member of Juvenile Unit involving crimes committed against children.
Victims of many types of crimes have rights and responsibilities under a Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 17-17-1) called the Victims' Bill of Rights.
See also: Criminal Justice System
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE NOTIFIED OF:
- Arrest of the accused.
- Availability of victim service programs.
- Availability of compensation for victim's of violent crime.
- Any court hearings where release of the accused will be considered.
- Release of the accused.
- Court proceedings during prosecution of the case.
- Motion for new trial or appeal dates.
- Parole or change of status of the defendant, if you request this in writing.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:
- Express your opinion on the release of the accused pending court proceedings.
- Express your views on the outcome of the case prior to plea negotiations or sentencing of the accused.
- Complete a Victim Impact Statement.
IF YOU NEED PROTECTION:
If you are threatened or intimidated by the offender, immediately contact the police department to make a report. For immediate assistance, dial 911.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY:
In order for you to be notified of various proceedings, you must provide law enforcement with your address, home and work phone numbers (not pagers or cellular phones).
If your phone number changes from the number you first gave police, you must notify the Bibb County Jail (746-9441), the Victim Assistance Program, Bibb County District Attorney's Office (749-6626, Ext. 114), and/or the State Court Solicitor's Office (749-6572). If there is an arrest, you can be informed of criminal proceedings.
If the defendant (accused) is convicted and sent to prison and you want to be notified of parole or want to express your opinions prior to a parole decision, you must write the Board of Pardons and Parole in Atlanta. The Victim Assistance Program can assist you with any of this communication.
FINANCIAL COMPENSATION:
If you are the victim of a violent (not property) crime, you may be eligible for victim compensation. You must file a completed application within 180 days after the date of the crime. There does not have to be an arrest in order to apply.
Compensation can help with your out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance, Medicaid, worker's compensation, etc. Eligible expenses include medical, counseling, funeral and lost wages. The Victim Assistance Program has compensation applications and can help you apply.
Defendants release prior to trial:
Many defendants (accused) are released on bond from jail before disposition of their case. Bond is guaranteed by the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions, except in certain cases.
Bond is money or property put up to ensure the defendant's appearance in court. The Judge considers several issues in determining the bond amount of the accused: the possibility of fleeing, the threat or danger to the community, the risk of committing another crime and the possibility of threatening witnesses.
Many defendants will be immediately released because the amount of bond is preset. The defendant gets a bonding company or an individual to provide a cash or property bond. This may be done within hours of the defendant being arrested.
If the defendant has not made bond within 72 hours, most will appear before a Judge. At that time, a bond may be set and the defendant may be released. Usually, victims do not attend these first appearance hearing and will not be notified of them since they are routine in most cases. An exception occurs in stalking cases where the law requires that victims be notified before bond is set. It is the policy of most Judges to restrain defendants in domestic violence cases from having contact with alleged victims.
There are certain serious crimes in which a bond an only be set by a Superior Court Judge. These hearings are usually at a later time after notice to the District Attorney's Office. The Victim Assistance Program will attempt to notify you prior to these bond hearings.
If the accused is a juvenile (under 17), the proceedings are different. Call Bibb County Juvenile Court, (478) 621-6448 |
