Clinton County Advocacy Center |
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Under a grant from the New York State Crime Victims Board, the Clinton County Probation Department offers free and confidential services to crime victims, such as Court accompaniment, assistance with applying for compensation from the New York State Crime Victims Board, and/or referrals to other agencies throughout the county. |
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Being a victim of a crime can be a very traumatic and devastating experience. Often, a crime victim is unsure of whether his/her feelings are normal, of how the legal system works, and what his/her rights are as the survivor of a crime. Our advocates help crime victims and their families cope with and understand the effects of crime. |
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If you or someone you know is a victim of a crime, the Clinton County Advocacy Center can also assist you with applying for compensation for out-of-pocket expenses related to the crime, including lost income, burial expenses, counseling, repair or replacement of property, transportation to Court during prosecution of the perpetrator, or costs incurred to utilize domestic violence shelters. If you were not injured, but are disabled, under 18 or over 60, you may still be eligible for compensation. |
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| As a victim of a crime, you have a right: | |||
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To be treated with dignity and compassion. |
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To be informed concerning the criminal justice system. |
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To discuss your case with the District Attorney. |
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To request restitution. |
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To due process in criminal proceedings. |
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To prepare a victim impact statement for the Court. |
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To be protected from intimidation and harm. |
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| You may be eligible for compensation from the New York State Crime Victims Board if: | |||
You are the victim of a crime who has sustained a personal injury, including: assault, homicide, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, burglary/robbery, motor vehicle (DWI/DUI), arson, stalking, and terrorism; |
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You are a victim of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree or Kidnapping in the First or Second Degree (limited to loss of earnings and counseling expenses); |
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You are an elderly (60 or older) or disabled victim of a crime who has suffered a loss or damage to articles of essential personal property (limited to repair or replacement of essential personal property to a maximum of $500, transportation expenses incurred for necessary Court appearances in connection with the prosecution of a crime, and counseling commenced within one year); |
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You are the surviving spouse, parent, child, or dependent of your principal support who dies as a direct result of a crime; |
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You are the person who has paid or incurred the burial expenses of an innocent victim who dies as a direct result of a crime (limited to burial expenses only); or |
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You are a child victim (under 18) of or witness to a crime, or the child’s parent, guardian, stepparent, grandparent, or sibling. |
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| Compensation may be awarded if: | |||
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The victim was an innocent victim of a crime. |
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The crime was reported to a criminal justice agency within one week or justification for the delay can be shown. For crimes involving sexual assault or certain family offenses the criminal justice agency report need only be made within a reasonable time considering all the circumstances. |
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The claim for compensation benefits is filed within one year of discovery of the crime or justification for the delay can be shown. |
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Compensation benefits include: |
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| Expenses for medical or other related services not covered by other insurance or benefit programs. |
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| Lost earnings or loss of support up to $600 per week (a maximum of $30,000). |
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| Burial expenses (up to $6,000). |
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| Occupational rehabilitation expense. |
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| Counseling expenses. |
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| The cost of repair or replacement of essential personal property lost, damaged, or destroyed as a result of a crime (up to $500). |
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| Transportation expenses for necessary Court appearances in connection with the prosecution of the crime. |
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| The cost of residing at or utilizing the services of a domestic violence shelter. |
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| For a victim of a crime who has acted as a Good Samaritan, the cost of lost, damaged, or destroyed property up to $5,000. (A victim of a crime acts as a Good Samaritan when attempting to prevent a crime, lawfully apprehend the perpetrator of a crime, or assist the police in making an arrest.) |
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| The cost of reasonable burial expenses without regard to the financial difficulty of the survivors when a police officer or firefighter dies from injuries received in the line of duty as a direct result of a crime. |
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| The cost for crime scene cleanup and the securing of the crime scene (up to $2,500). |
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Additional Links |
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