Smyth County, Virginia
MESSAGE FROM YOUR COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY
If you are the victim of a crime or a witness to a crime, you have already been through a
difficult experience. However, your participation in the criminal justice system is essential; there can be no justice without your
help...
As Commonwealth's Attorney for the citizens of Smyth County, I want to do everything I can to make your experience with the
courts as smooth and effective as possible.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has established a Victim/Witness Program to assist
you as your case progresses through the system. The staff of this Program will help you understand your rights, keep you informed of the
status of your case, and make you aware of resources available to you.
Please contact Susan
B. Williams, Victim-Witness Director or Cheyenna
Glass, Assistant Victim- Witness Director,
with any questions about your case.
Very Truly Yours,
Roy F. Evans, Jr.
Commonwealth's Attorney
Susan B. Williams, Victim Witness Director
The Smyth County Victim Witness Program is here to help you. Roy F.
Evans, Jr., Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney, established the program through state and federal grants in 1997.
Susan
Williams, the director, provides information on services to crime victims and witnesses.
The Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act recognizes
that anyone suffering physical, emotional or financial harm as a direct result of a felony or certain misdemeanor crimes, are victims in need
of assistance. This also includes spouses, children, parents and guardians of certain victims.
The Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act
(usually referred to as the Victims’ Bill of Rights) was made law by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995. The purpose of the law is to
ensure that victims and witnesses of crime: are treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity and that their privacy is protected where the
law allows; are informed of their rights; have opportunities to make the courts aware of the full impact of the crime; receive authorized
services; have the opportunity to be heard at critical stages of the criminal justice process.
The law provides several rights: Victims
have the right to remain in the courtroom during trial and during all hearings which the defendant may attend, unless the judge has determined
that the victim is a material witness; when practicable, prosecutors must give victims, or any adults chosen by a victim under the age of
eighteen, advance notice of judicial proceedings (such as bail or bond hearings, preliminary hearings and trial dates.)
Victims must
be informed of financial assistance and social services available , including crime victims’ compensation (Criminal Injuries Compensation
Fund).
In some cases, victims may present a Victim Impact Statement which explains to the judge how the crime(s) affected them.
Defendants convicted of certain property crimes may be ordered to make restitution for property damages or loss or actual medical expenses
incurred by the victim.
If requested in writing, Sheriffs, jail superintendents and the Department of Corrections must notify victims,
or person designated in writing by the victims of the release, transfer, escape or change of name of a prisoner, to certain crime victims.
How you can help
The Victim Witness Program needs the support of the community in order to continue to
provide services to victims of violent crime. Listed below are ways in which you may want to assist:
•Volunteers
Volunteers are an important component of the program and are constantly in demand. Volunteers must meet professional standards, pass a
background check, and be willing to share a valuable resource with us: their time.
•Internships
If you
are a high school senior or a college student, an internship at the Smyth County Victim Witness Program can provide you with hands-on
training in the criminal justice system, specifically working with crime victims.
Please contact the Victim/Witness Program Coordinator:
Susan B. Williams, Victim Witness Director
Victim
Witness Program
Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney
109
W. Main St., Room 2104
Marion, VA 24354
Phone: 276-782-4061
Email: victim.witness@smythcounty.org
OR
Cheyenna Glass, Assistant Victim Witness Director
Victim Witness Program
Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney
109 W. Main St., Room 2104
Marion, VA 24354
Phone: 276-782-4061
Email:
cglass@smythcounty.org
Check Us Out on Facebook
•Brochure for Smyth County
Victim/Witness Program
•Informational
Guide for Domestic Violence Victims
•Protective
Order Guide for Victims
•Legal
Aid Brochure
•VINE
Brochure
•NAAVI Brochure
•Restitution
in Virginia
•Going
to Court Activity Book for Children
•Stalking-A
Guide for Victims
•Sex
Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Guide
•Marion
Police Department
•Chilhowie
Police Department
•Saltville
Police Department
•Smyth
County Sheriff's Office
•Virginia
State Police
•Mount
Rogers Community Services Board (Mount Rogers Community
Services provides a wide array of community services for
individuals with mental health, intellectual and developmental
disabilities, and substance use disorders. All services include
the use of person-centered planning and embrace concepts of
self-determination, empowerment, and recovery as core principles
in supporting individuals to achieve their highest possible
level of participation in work, relationships, and all aspects
of community life)
•Smyth
County Public Schools
•Smyth
County Chamber of Commerce (The mission of the Chamber of
Commerce of Smyth County, Incorporated, is to become an
exemplary force, partner and resource in conscientious economic
and community-wide planning, advancement, and sustainability;
workforce and civic leadership training, recruitment and
development; and countywide collaborative partnership
initiatives. We are your connection to building community and
cultivating your future & success.
•Marion
Redevelopment & Housing Authority (Marion Redevelopment and
Housing Authority provides housing through the Public Housing
and Housing Choice Voucher Programs)
•VAWA Notice
The
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013)
expands housing protections for domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, or stalking victims. Changes under
VAWA 2013 include extending protections to survivors of sexual
assault; allowing survivors who remain in the unit to establish
eligibility or find new housing when a lease is bifurcated;
providing survivors with emergency transfers; and additional
notification to applicants and tenants of housing rights under
VAWA. While these changes substantially extend VAWA's coverage
to include most affordable housing programs, they provide no
protection to tenants in private market-rate housing but do
apply to tenants with vouchers in private market housing.
MRHA will provide all protection under VAWA 2013 to program
participants and family members of program participants who are
victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault,
or stalking from being evicted or terminated from housing
assistance based on acts of such violence against them. •Smyth
County Department of Social Services (DSS administers the
following Benefit Assistance programs: TANF – Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families, SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program),
Medicaid, Auxiliary Grant, and Energy assistance). In addition,
our Service programs include: Child Protective Services, Foster
Care, Adoption Assistance, Adult Services, Child Day Care
Services and Employment Services.
•Southwest
Virginia Legal Aid Society (Southwest Virginia Legal Aid
Society (SVLAS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit law firm. We provide
free, high quality civil legal services to low-income residents
of 17 counties and four small cities in southwestern Virginia)
•Family Resource Center
(non-profit organization providing shelter, education, and
support services to males, females, and children who have
experienced, been impacted by or exposed to domestic or sexual
violence, abuse, neglect, and stalking).
•Children’s
Advocacy Center (The Children’s Advocacy Center of Highlands
Community Services leverages the efforts of law
enforcement, prosecutors, medical and mental health providers,
social workers, and others to provide a seamless,
comprehensive system of support for child victims of sexual and
physical abuse, and neglect)
•Virginia
Victims Fund (The Virginia Victims Fund (VVF) is a state
program created to help victims of violent crime with
out-of-pocket expenses. These can include medical bills,
prescriptions, funeral expenses, and many other expenses)
•Virginia
Department of Corrections (Search for an offender's location
and release date if they are incarcerated and under the custody
of the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC).
•VineLink
- VINE is the nation’s leading victim notification network. It
allows survivors, victims of crime, and other concerned citizens
to access timely and reliable information about offenders or
criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons. Register to receive
automated notifications via email, text, or phone call, or check
custody status information online at any time.
•NAAVI (The VADOC NAAVI portal
is a free service that provides the Commonwealth with
information and resources to assist crime victims. Registration
is required for crime victims to receive notification/status
updates about inmates serving 12 months or more of incarceration
pursuant to Virginia Code § 19.2‐11.01.
This program is
designed to provide you with quick and easy access to
information and to assist you in preparing for an inmate’s
release and community supervision).
•Office
of Attorney General
•National
Center for Victims of Crime
•Virginia
Sexual and Domestic Violence
•Virginia
Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services
•U.S
Department of Justice
•Victim
Connect: Stalking
•National
Crime Victim Bar Association
•National
Domestic Violence Hotline
•Virginia
Judicial System
•Identity
Theft Resource Center
•Internet
Crime Complaint Center
•Office
for Victims of Crime
•Virginia
ICAN (Protective Orders) - I-CAN! Virginia is a free online
program that provides assistance with the preparation of court
forms required to file for a protective order. I-CAN! Virginia
is also available in Spanish.
•Hope
Cards
Provide on request information on any significant developments in the investigation and prosecution of the case.
•Provide
information which explains steps in the criminal justice system and details victims' rights.
•Inform of restitution and monitor
payments.
•Assistance in protection of victims and witnesses from harm and threats of harm arising our of their cooperation
with the law enforcement and prosecution of the case.
•Assist in the return of property.
•Notify victims and witnesses
of continuances and cancellations.
•Provide information concerning final disposition of cases and negotiations on plea
agreements
•Provide liaison services between claimants and the Division of Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
•Provide
information on financial assistance available.
•Provide information on social services available and make referrals to
appropriate agencies.
•Provide emergency assistance, such as food, shelter/referrals for these services.
•Provide
employer intercession.
•Provide separate waiting areas during court procedures.
•24-hour on call for victims, law
enforcement and witnesses.
•Assist in the preparation of victim impact statements.
•Provide public awareness
presentations to schools and community groups/basic training and in-service.
•Provide crisis intervention and short-term
counseling.
•Provide courtroom tours, accompaniment and support.
•Provide hospital accompaniment and support