Victims & Witnesses

Message from State’s Attorney Charlie Smith

My staff and I at the State’s Attorney’s Office are deeply committed to the rights of victims of crime. All too often in our system of justice the rights of victims are secondary to the rights of the accused.

My office provides Victim/Witness Coordinators to afford help to you as you deal with the criminal justice system. Please feel free to contact them or any other member of my staff to ask questions or express your concerns.

If you have questions or concerns about a case, please call and ask to speak with a Victim/Witness Coordinator.

The Victim/Witness Coordinator can give you information about the court process and case status, your rights, and act as a communication liaison between you and the prosecutor. It is very important that victims and witnesses keep the State’s Attorney’s Office informed of their current phone number and address. This allows us to contact you and give you information about your case.

The prosecution of criminal cases is handled by members of the State’s Attorney’s Office. The matter will be assigned to an Assistant State’s Attorney who has sole discretion in determining the appropriate way to prosecute or resolve the case. The assigned prosecutor will take into account the victim’s wishes, public safety, and other factors when making this determination. Please keep in mind that all Assistant State’s Attorneys take an oath to uphold the laws and constitution and to handle criminal cases fairly and without prejudice. This includes a duty to fairly assess and evaluate the evidence and determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. There may be times when a case is not fully prosecuted and that can be very frustrating for the victim involved in the matter. Victim/Witness Coordinators are available to answer questions regarding this situation should it occur.

Court Appearances

Victims and witnesses will receive subpoenas to appear for trial. The subpoena may be sent in the mail or be personally served by a member of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. If you receive a subpoena, you are legally obligated to appear in court. If you know ahead of time that you are not available, please call and speak with a Victim/Witness Coordinator to discuss the matter. Failure to appear for court could result in the issuance of a body attachment.

If you have any safety concerns about appearing in court, please contact a Victim/Witness Coordinator to discuss the matter.

Postponements

Postponements can happen for various reasons. Some postponements occur ahead of time and some occur in court. If a postponement occurs in advance we will attempt to contact you to let you know. We also have a website where we list cases in which witnesses are excused from appearing. Please go to https://frederickcountymd.gov/4138/Witness-Updates to see if the case you are involved in is listed. If so, you are excused from appearing on the date indicated on the website. This website is updated often so please check the site after 5:30 PM the day before you are scheduled to appear in court.

Restitution and Judgments

Once an individual has been convicted of a crime, the court may order the defendant to pay restitution as a condition of probation. Restitution reimburses victims in criminal cases, for out-of-pocket expenses, medical bills, property loss or damage suffered by the victim(s) as a result of the criminal conduct. Restitution does not include pain and suffering.

If you believe that you are owed restitution, you must inform the State’s Attorney’s Office prior to the completion of the case. Please keep copies of all receipts, medical bills, estimates and insurance documentation related to the crime. You will be required to provide this information to the court.

When restitution is ordered, the payment(s) will be ordered payable through the Department of Parole and Probation or the State’s Attorney’s Office. Any questions relating to restitution payments should be directed to the following:

Ordered through Probation, please contact Parole and Probation at 301-600-1935.
Ordered payable through the State’s Attorney’s Office, please contact the Victim/Witness Unit at 301-600-1523.

Please keep your address and phone number up-to-date with our office so that any restitution payments can be forwarded to you.

A restitution order is not a guarantee that a defendant will pay restitution. If a defendant fails to pay restitution, the State’s Attorney’s Office will make an effort at enforcement procedures against the defendant. However, the judge has discretion to employ alternative sentencing options.

Victim Resources

Heartly House – Heartly House provides comprehensive services for victims and survivors of intimate partner abuse, rape/sexual assault, and child abuse.
24-Hour Emergency Hotline: 301-662-8800
https://www.heartlyhouse.org/

Vinelink – For adult offenders only. Victim Information and Notification Everyday – VINELink can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide the most reliable information for custody status changes and criminal case information. The VINE service provides information by phone, email, TTY, and text message where available. You may also sign up through your participating state, or county’s toll-free number.
VINE Service Number: 866-634-8463
TTY: 866-847-1298
https://vinelink.com/#/home

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board – The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board provides financial assistance for innocent victims of crime. The Board may compensate victims who suffer physical injury for their medical expenses and loss of earnings. In cases of homicide, the Board may assist with funeral expenses and loss of support on the part of the victim’s dependents. 410-585-3010 or 1-888-679-9347 toll free.
https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/victimservs/cicb/

Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center – The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC) would like to help you by providing you with information, assistance, and support throughout your case proceedings. We help during all phases of the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
MCVRC main office: 301-952-0063 or 877-842-8461
Frederick County: 301-828-1413
https://www.mdcrimevictims.org/

The Pro-Bono Counseling Project – Free Therapy may be available to you. Their goal is to make quality mental health care available to those in need.
Call for family, couple and individual counseling: 410-825-1001; 301-805-8191; 877-323-5800
http://probonocounseling.org/

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault- MCASA –The mission of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is to help prevent sexual assault, advocate for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual violence, and work to hold offenders accountable.
https://www.mcasa.org/

Sexual Assault Legal Institute – SALI – MCASA’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI) provides comprehensive legal services to survivors of sexual violence statewide, as well as training and technical assistance for professionals working with survivors.
For information, contact SALI directly at 301-565-2277 or at 877-496-SALI
https://www.mcasa.org/survivors/sali

Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services – Office of Victim Services
The Office of Victim Services for the supervision agencies of DPSCS cover detainees in booking and detention facilities in Baltimore City, all state operated prisons and pre-release facilities that house convicted offenders, as well as offenders sentenced by the courts to parole and probation or released from the correctional system on parole or mandatory release. Victim Service staff assist victims who have been impacted by the actions of those under our supervision.
Division of Parole and Probation – Victim Services Unit – 410-585-3340
Division of Corrections – Victim Services Unit – 410-585-3348 or 866-606-7789
http://dpscs.maryland.gov/victimservs

Maryland Parole Commission – Victim Services Unit – 410-585-3213 or 877-241-5428
https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/victimservs/commitment/main_pages/vs-mpc.shtml

The Maryland Sex Offender Registry Website is one of many important tools that families can use to protect themselves, their children, and those they care for from individuals with criminal sexual behaviors. On this site you will be able to find registered sex offenders living and working near you, be notified of registrants’ movements, and explore resources that will help you to prevent and get treatment for sexual abuse.
http://www.dpscs.state.md.us/sorSearch/

Maryland Office of the Attorney General – In Maryland, the criminal appeals process requires that crime victims be informed of events related to their cases. The Director of Victim Services notifies crime victims and victims’ family members of court events (appellate arguments, dispositions) related to their case or conviction on appeal. The Director coordinates this information with victim assistance offices in the State’s Attorneys’ Offices and Divisions of Correction and Parole and Probation. The Director is the Attorney General’s representative on the State Board of Victim Services. The Director also answers inquiries from victims and other citizens about victim-related issues, laws, and the criminal justice process.
Director of Victim Services: 410-576-6405 or 888-743-0023
http://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/VictimServ

Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County promotes child well-being by providing a child and family focused center to address reports of child maltreatment. We seek to prevent and reduce trauma to children and families using a multi-disciplinary approach to investigation, prosecution, treatment, education and advocacy.

In partnership with the Department of Social Services, law enforcement agencies, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and the Frederick County Government, the CAC offers community education about child well-being, as well as a safe place for children and their non-offending family members to access needed services.
Phone: 301-600-1758
https://frederickcountymd.gov/481/Child-Advocacy-Center-CAC

BACA – Bikers Against Child Abuse exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children and to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live.
http://bacaworld.org/mission/
http://maryland.bacaworld.org/

Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland works to empower low-income families and immigrants from diverse backgrounds by promoting self-sufficiency, greater social change, education, and legal rights.
Frederick: 240-877-7466
Silver Spring: 301-587-7217
https://www.spanishcommunityofmd.org/

What is a victim impact statement?

In an impact statement, a victim provides an explanation of how the crime affected you, your family, or even your community. Statements should include:

A summary of the harm or trauma suffered by the victim or family as a result of the crime.
A summary of the economic loss or damage suffered by the victim as a result of the crime. Include requests for restitution for out-of-pocket expenses.
A concise statement of what outcome the victim would like and the reasons to support this opinion, including support for or opposition to treatment or community service programs.
Highlights about the victim, past accomplishments, hopes for the future, and what the crime has done to change these activities.
The overall effect the crime has had on the victim and family.

Why is a victim impact statement so important?

After a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty of a crime, a Judge sentences the defendant. The Judge responsible for sentencing the defendant reads and considers victim impact statements before setting the sentence.

What else should I know about victim impact statements?

A victim impact statement submitted to the Court becomes part of the criminal case file. As a result, everyone involved in the case will receive a copy, including the Judge, prosecutor, defendant, defense lawyer, and probation officer.

Is a victim required to submit a victim impact statement?

No. There is no obligation to compose and submit a victim impact statement.

Where are victim impact statements to be sent?

Victim Impact Statements can be submitted in one of three ways: through this Web site, by mail, and by fax.

Forms

Victim Impact Statement

Name
Phone
Defendent*
Criminal Number*
Victim's Name
Name of Person Preparing Statement
Date
Property Stolen and NOT Recovered $ Value
Property Damaged $ Value to Fix or Replace
Insurance Company Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code
Insurance Agent
Agent Phone Number
Claim Number
Your Deductible
Amount Insurance Paid
Total Out of Pocket Loss
Restitution Payment(s) should be made payable to
Restitution Payment(s) should be mailed to this address
Home Phone
Cell Phone
What do you believe the sentence should be for the defendant in this case? Please list any additional information that you feel should be considered at sentencing.
If you have any comments that you feel will assist this office in best representing your interests, please express them below.
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