Juvenile Department
Victim Assistance
If you are a victim of a criminal act, you have rights and are entitled to protection from the youth offender and may received compensation for injury and property damage. These rights include: 1) addresses and telephone numbers are protected, youth can not have access to that information; 2) are not to be excluded from the courtroom during trial, which implies to members of a murder victims
= family as well; 3) have a right to express your views concerning the crime, the effect on you, and your feelings about what the sentence ought to be; and 4) the board of parole and post-prison supervision must attempt to notify the district attorney and you if you have previously requested notification, in writing, of parole hearings and release dates of incarcerated offenders.The people of Oregon spoke out about victims
= rights during the November 1999 elections. As a result, the State Constitution was amended to include victims= rights during a criminal procedure. These include:- to be informed and present at any proceedings regarding the youth
- receive information about youth
The Victim
=s Assistance Program through the Curry County District Attorney provides the following services:- General information regarding the criminal justice system
- Specific information about the youth
What happens to my case if I am a victim of an offense committed by a juvenile?
How can I be compensated for my losses if they resulted from the actions of a juvenile offender?
If I have property damage or physical injuries, can the juvenile be required to pay me back?
How can I find out about a case I am involved in?
How do I get my property returned if it has been recovered by the police?
What if the juvenile offender's attorney or investigator wants to talk to me?
How can I request that my address not be given to the offender?
What if I am harassed by the juvenile offender while my case is pending?
What
happens to my case if I am a victim of an offense committed by a juvenile?
If the police charge a juvenile with a criminal offense, they will send a report of their investigation to the Juvenile Department. After screening, it will be assigned to a Juvenile Counselor who is responsible for meeting with the juvenile and family, reviewing the police report, victim's statement, and youth's prior record (if any), and determining a corrective course of action. If the offender is in detention, a brief custody hearing will take place immediately. Goals of the Department include providing protection to the community and rehabilitative services to offenders so there is a better chance they will stay out of trouble in the future. Young people are held accountable for their actions by paying restitution, doing community service, apologizing to their victims, participating in counseling, and/or spending time in detention jail), shelter homes, treatment programs, or the state youth correctional facility.
How
can I be compensated for my losses if they resulted from the actions of a
juvenile offender?
First, check with your insurance company if you have coverage for personal injury or property damage.
If
I have property damage or physical injuries, can the juvenile be required to
pay me back?
The Juvenile Department's Victim Assistance Program sends information by mail to
the victim listed in the police report shortly after the case arrives. This
correspondence will do the following:
* Inform you about your rights as a crime victim under
Oregon law
* Ask you about your costs related to property damage
or physical injury, if you would like restitution to be part of sentencing in
your case
* Ask you to comment on your experience as a crime
victim so offenders can be made aware of the pain and inconvenience they cause
to innocent people
* Give you general information about the restitution 'process and alternatives when restitution is not possible. Juveniles at times will pay for the restitution to their victims. However, when young people are incapable of paying restitution, their parents may be held responsible for damages If the youth in your case cannot personally pay you back, the Juvenile Department can inform you of his/her name, birth-date, parents' names, and address so you can contact them directly or initiate action against them in civil court. You may also be entitled to assistance with medical bills resulting from violent crimes such as robbery, child abuse, or assault.
How
can I find out about a case I am involved in?
Call the Juvenile Department. If you have any of the
following information, it will help them locate your case: the offender's
name, the case number and police agency handling your case, or the offense and
the date it happened. You will be
given an update on your case (if it has arrived at the Juvenile Department)
and hearing notification (if one has been scheduled). You may also request
information about counseling or other victim support services. In most
circumstances, you should be able to know the general plan for your case
within two to four weeks after it is received by the Juvenile Department. The Juvenile Court process is not secret.
It is open to the public, and the involvement and participation
of victims is especially encouraged.
How
do I get my property returned if it has been recovered by the police?
Recovered property may be needed as evidence if the
case goes to trial. For this
reason, the police will not ordinarily release your property back to you until
the Juvenile Department and/or District Attorney's Office advises them in writing that it is no longer
needed. Sometimes it is possible to photograph urgently needed property and
then release it before trial -ask the District Attorney.
What
if the juvenile offender's attorney or investigator wants to talk to me?
The juvenile's legal representative is permitted to
talk with you if you agree. You have the right to decide whether to do
so and may ask that the Deputy District Attorney be present during the
conversation, if you prefer.
How
can I request that my address not be given to the offender?
Contact the Juvenile Department
and ask for the assigned Juvenile Counselor (or leave a message with
your request).
What
if I am harassed by the juvenile offender while my case is pending?
Call the police and report the harassment. Then call
the Juvenile Department and report it to the counselor handling your case.