Victims' Rights and Assistance Program Quiz

Victim and Witness Assistance Program for the Port St. Lucie Police Department

• The Port St. Lucie Police Department recognizes the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of victims and witnesses of crimes.

• The Florida Crimes Compensation Act provides mechanisms for aid, care, and support by the state to assist victims and witnesses.

• The department aims to develop, implement, and continue appropriate victim/witness assistance programs that treat victims/witnesses with fairness, compassion, and dignity.

• Definitions of terms include: confidential crime victim information, crime and criminal, victim, witness, and victim assistant/coordinator.

• The Criminal Investigations Division commander or their designee is responsible for administering and coordinating the department's role in victim/witness assistance.

• Victim assistant/coordinator duties and responsibilities include providing criminal justice support and advocacy, liaising with other agencies, and informing the public about victim/witness assistance services.

• Victim/witness assistance needs and services are continually assessed, and policies and procedures are developed and implemented based on the review.

• Examples of cases that may be assigned to the victim assistant/coordinator include domestic violence, homicide, assault, and child abuse.

• The victim assistant/coordinator may be called out for crisis intervention in specific cases.

• Care is taken to ensure the safety of the victim assistant/coordinator, and they are not placed in any situation that could become dangerous or physically threatening.

• Officer/detective responsibilities include informing victims/witnesses of their rights, providing protection and transportation, and explaining procedures involved in the prosecution of their case.

• Port St. Lucie Police Department personnel are also eligible for victim assistance services, and services are provided to families of deceased or injured officers. Training is provided to all appropriate personnel on victims' rights and services.Victims' Rights in Criminal and Juvenile Justice System

• Victims have the right to receive information about crime compensation and contact numbers for victims' services.

• Victims and witnesses have the right to be informed about their role in the criminal or juvenile justice system and the stages of the process.

• Victims have the right to request a restraining order against the abuser as a "no contact" condition of an injunction.

• Victims and next of kin have the right to be present and heard at all crucial stages of the proceedings, without interfering with the accused's constitutional rights.

• Victims and witnesses who are not incarcerated are not required to attend discovery depositions in correctional facilities.

• Victims or next of kin cannot be excluded from any hearing or trial based solely on being subpoenaed to testify, unless their presence is deemed prejudicial.

• Incarcerated victims have the right to be informed of crucial stages and submit written statements.

• Victims have the right to a prompt and timely disposition of the case, as long as it does not interfere with the accused's constitutional rights.

• Victims have the right to be free from intimidation, and it is against the law to threaten or harm them.

• Victims and witnesses must be notified of any changes in scheduling for criminal or juvenile proceedings.

• Victims have the right to be notified in advance of judicial and post-judicial proceedings related to the accused's arrest or release, as well as prosecution proceedings.

• Victims have various rights related to the disposition of criminal or juvenile cases, including consultation with the state attorney and consent to assert legal rights.