Victim Services

PRESS RELEASE:

March, 2006

Sweeny Police Participate in Operation Sleep Tight-Sleep Safe

Click the link a press release and flyer.

• Introduction

• Mission Statement

• Definitions

• Crime Victims' Bill of Rights

• Crime Victim Compensation

• Who is Eligible?

• How to Apply

• Hotlines

Introduction

Have you ever been the victim of a violent crime?  What does it mean to be a crime victim?  What rights do crime victims have? What costs are paid if you are a crime victim?  What services are available to you if you qualify as a crime victim?  Who can you speak with about these questions?

The purpose of our Crime Victim Service Program is to inform and educate you about your rights as a crime victim and to answer these commonly asked questions.  Did you know that as a crime victim in the State of Texas you have protected rights under the Texas Constitution?  You do!

If you have been the victim of a violent crime, the Sweeny Police Department wants to help you with the difficult time ahead.  You will certainly have many questions about what rights you have as a crime victim.

This information was designed to assist crime victims during this time.  It has been said that crime victims are victimized twice: once by the offender and then again by the Criminal Justice System.  We hope that as you travel down this road, this information can guide you in a direction of healing and understanding.

The Sweeny Police Department’s Crime Victim Liaison has been given the responsibility to respond to the crime victim during the victim’s road to recovery.  The utilization of the Crime Victim Liaison should be considered a valuable asset to the crime victim.

If you have any questions about the information contained herein, please contact the department’s Crime Victim Liaison. See the "Contact Us" section at the top of this page.

Mission Statement

It is the goal of the Sweeny Police Department to provide the crime victim all rights afforded to him or her under the Texas Constitution. To achieve this goal, the Sweeny Police Department will take immediate and definite action against any suspect who commits a violent crime in Sweeny.  We will encourage high bail and longer jail sentences for those accused.  Our Crime Victim Liaison will monitor court proceedings and will notify you, the crime victim, of any and all court and prosecution actions taken against the accused.  You will be provided with up-to-date information about existing services in the community and surrounding areas.

Definitions

The following terms have been defined by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedures as they relate to crime victims:

"Victim" means a person who is the victim of sexual assault, kidnapping, or aggravated robbery or who has suffered bodily injury or death as a result of the criminal conduct of another.

"Guardian of a victim" means a person who is the legal guardian of the victim, whether or not the legal relationship between the guardian and the victim exists because of the age of the victim or the physical or mental incompetence of the victim. 

"Close relative of a deceased victim" means a person who was the spouse of a deceased victim at the time of the victim’s death or who is a parent or adult brother, sister, or child of the deceased victim.

Crime Victims' Bill of Rights

Click on the following link to view the Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights:  Texas Crime Victim's Bill of Rights.

Crime Victim Compensation

COSTS THAT MAY BE COMPENSATED

Reimbursements for property damage or loss is not an eligible expense.  Approved claims may be awarded compensation for the following expenses:

• Medical, prescription and rehabilitation expenses.

• Lost wages and travel costs incurred during the justice process and for seeking medical treatments related to the crime.

• Mental health counseling for victims and family members.

• Funeral expenses.

• Loss of earnings or support.

• Child care or dependent care.

• Attorney fees for legal assistance in filing the application and in obtaining benefits.

• Crime scene cleanup.

• Replacement cost for items taken as evidence or made unusable as a result of the criminal investigation.

AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION

Total recovery may not exceed $50,000 unless the victim suffered total and permanent disability.  Victims who suffer total and permanent disability as a result of their victimization may qualify for an additional $50,000.  Total recovery may not exceed $100,000 for catastrophically injured victims.

Who is Eligible?

If you or a family member has been involved in a violent crime, the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund may be able to help with some of your bills. The Fund is administered by the Attorney General and is financed by fees paid by convicted criminals.

The following victims are eligible for compensation:

• Victims who suffer bodily injury, death, or emotional harm.

• U.S. residents who become victims of crime in Texas and Texas residents who become victims of crime in a state or country without comparable compensation.

• Family members of victims.

• People who legally or voluntarily assume expenses related to the crime.

• Peace officers and firefighters who are injured or killed during a crime.

To be eligible, the victim must not share responsibility for the crime, and must report the crime and cooperate with law enforcement and prosecution officials.

How to Apply

Applications and brochures with complete information may be obtained from:

• Hospitals

• Law Enforcement Agencies

• Prosecutor's offices

• Crime Victim Compensation Division in the Office of the Attorney General (1-800-983-9933)

Hotlines