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victim services

For more information contact

Kimberly Qualls| Email

(337) 494-4538

You may apply if:

  • You are a victim of a violent crime.
  • You are the victim's legal representative (his attorney or person legally responsible for the expenses).
  • You are the victim's dependent.
  • A claim may be filed regardless of whether the offender is known, has been arrested, and / or has been found guilt.

The crime must:

  • Involve the use of force or threat of use of force
  • Result in personal injury, death or catastrophic property loss
  • Result in expenses allowed by the statute and not reimbursable from any other source.

VEHICULAR CRIMES (MOTOR VEHICLE, BOAT OR AIRCRAFT) ARE NOT INCLUDED UNLESS YOU ARE:

  • The victim of a DWI driver.
  • The victim of a hit and run driver.
  • The victim of a driver who is fleeing the scene of a
  • crime in which  he knowingly participated.
  • The victim whose injuries were intentionally inflicted with a vehicle.

The State of Louisiana established the Crime Victims Reparations Act for the payment of compensation to the victims of certain crimes. Income for this fund is derived from monies paid on criminal court costs. Funds are supplemented by federal grants, court-ordered restitution from criminals, donations, and interests.

There are application requirements for this program. What is reimbursable and non-reimbursable can be discussed or a brochure will be mailed to you upon your request. The State CVRA board is located in Baton Rouge and can be reached at 1-888-6VICTIM (in state only).

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Victim Services Unit submits requests to the state CVRA board for authorization of funds. 


Some of the expenses that can be covered include: medical, hospital, dental, mental health counseling, funeral, loss of wages / earnings, catastrophic loss of your home by arson, and expenses associated with the collection of crime scene evidence.

 

Most victims of crime will need some type of assistance dealing with the aftermath of crime, whether it is going to court, paying medical bills, obtaining information or just moral support. This is the time the Victim Assistance personnel will be valuable. They are available at any time.

 

LOUISIANA STATE COALITION RIGHTS OF VICTIMS • WITNESSES 

A Crime Victim Rights

 

  1. The Louisiana Revised Statue regarding the rights of victims and witnesses is stated below:
    1841. Legislative intent: "in recognition of the civic and moral duty of victims of crime to cooperate fully and voluntarily with law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, and in further recognition of the continuing importance of such citizens cooperation to state and local law enforcement efforts and the general effectiveness and well-being of the criminal justice system of this state, the legislature declares its intent, in the Chapter, to ensure that all victims and witnesses of crime are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy and sensitivity, and that the rights extended in this Chapter to victims of crime are honored and protected by the law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges in a manner no less vigorous than the protection afforded the criminal defendants."

  2. In accordance with LA R. S. 46:1842 through 1844, victims of felonies, the victim's family and witnesses to crime are granted various privileges. To ensure the enforcement of these rights, the Louisiana Legislature passed an amendment to Art 1 of the State Constitution, granting to the victim of crime:

    a) the right to reasonable notice and to be present and heard during all critical stages of pre-conviction and post-conviction proceedings;
    b) the right to be informed upon the release from custody or the escape of the accused or the offender;
    c) the right to confer with the prosecution prior to final disposition of the case;
    d) the right to refuse to be interviewed by the accused or a representative of the accused;
    e) the right to review and comment upon the pre-sentence report prior to imposition of sentence; f) the right to seek restitution; and g) the right to a reasonably prompt conclusion of the case

  3. It is the responsibility of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office to ensure:

    a) that victims and witnesses receive prompt emergency, social, and medical services;

    b) distribution of the Louisiana Victim Notice and Registration Form;

    c) notification of properly registered victims or designated family members of actions concerning those accused or convicted of the crime (actions requiring notification are arrest, release on recognizance, posting of bond, release pending charges being filed, release due to rejection of charges by the District Attorney, escape or re-apprehension);

    d) informing employers that the need for victims and witnesses to cooperate in the prosecution may necessitate absences from work;

    e) expeditiously returning any stolen or other personal property to victims' families when no longer needed as evidence; and

    f) expeditiously investigating all reports of missing children and inform family members of such children of the status of the investigation.