Indiana Code 35-40-6-4. Victim assistance program; purposes
(1) Inform a victim that the victim may be present at all public stages of the criminal justice process to the extent that:
Terms Used In Indiana Code 35-40-6-4
- Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- in writing: include printing, lithographing, or other mode of representing words and letters. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
- Transcript: A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial or during some other conversation, as in a transcript of a hearing or oral deposition.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Verified: when applied to pleadings, means supported by oath or affirmation in writing. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
(B) there has not been a court order restricting, limiting, or prohibiting attendance at the criminal proceedings.
(2) Timely notify a victim of all criminal justice hearings and proceedings that are scheduled for a criminal matter in which the victim was involved.
(3) Promptly notify a victim when a criminal court proceeding has been rescheduled or canceled.
(4) Obtain an interpreter or translator, if necessary, to advise a victim of the rights granted to a victim under the law.
(5) Coordinate efforts of local law enforcement agencies that are designed to promptly inform a victim after an offense occurs of the availability of, and the application process for, community services for victims and the families of victims, including information concerning services such as the following:
(A) Victim compensation funds.
(B) Victim assistance resources.
(C) Legal resources.
(D) Mental health services.
(E) Social services.
(F) Health resources.
(G) Rehabilitative services.
(H) Financial assistance services.
(I) Crisis intervention services.
(J) Transportation and child care services to promote the participation of a victim or a member of the victim’s immediate family in the criminal proceedings.
(6) Inform the victim that the court may order a defendant convicted of the offense involving the victim to pay restitution to the victim under IC 35-50-5-3.
(7) Upon request of the victim, inform the victim of the terms and conditions of release of the person accused of committing a crime against the victim.
(8) Upon request of the victim, give the victim notice of the criminal offense for which:
(A) the defendant accused of committing the offense against the victim was convicted or acquitted; or
(B) the charges were dismissed against the defendant accused of committing the offense against the victim.
(9) In a county having a victim-offender reconciliation program (VORP), provide an opportunity for a victim, if the accused person or the offender agrees, to:
(A) meet with the accused person or the offender in a safe, controlled environment;
(B) give to the accused person or the offender, either orally or in writing, a summary of the financial, emotional, and physical effects of the offense on the victim and the victim’s family; and
(C) negotiate a restitution agreement to be submitted to the sentencing court for damages incurred by the victim as a result of the offense.
(10) Assist a victim in preparing verified documentation necessary to obtain a restitution order under IC 35-50-5-3.
(11) Inform a victim (or the spouse or an immediate family member of a deceased victim) of the victim’s right to a copy of the trial transcript, and assist the victim, spouse, or immediate family member in obtaining a transcript as described in IC 35-40-5-8.5.
(12) Advise a victim of other rights granted to a victim under the law.
(13) Assist a local law enforcement authority in notifying a victim (or the spouse or an immediate family member of a deceased victim) under IC 11-8-8-23 of an offender’s name change.
As added by P.L.139-1999, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.78-2018, SEC.2; P.L.244-2019, SEC.14.