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Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Program

Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund

The Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program helps victims with certain out-of-pocket expenses caused when people are physically injured, emotionally harmed, or killed as a result of violent criminal acts. If you or your family members are innocent victims of a violent crime, financial assistance may be available through this Program.

Basic qualification requirements include:

  • the crime must have occurred in the state of Ohio, or the applicant must be a resident of the state of Ohio or a foreign country with a reciprocal victims compensation program;
  • the application must be filed within two years of the date of the crime (minors have until their 20th birthday);
  • the crime must have been reported to law enforcement within 72 hours (unless there is a good reason for delay);
  • the victim and/or applicant must cooperate fully with law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the criminal case against the offender; and
  • the applicant has no collateral source of payment for the compensation they are seeking.

To find out more about the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program, or to obtain an application, contact their toll-free information line: (877) 584-2846, or visit their website: www.ag.state.oh.us.

Other Compensation for Crime Victims

Many victims are interested in how they can be repaid for financial losses that they suffered as a result of a crime. In the criminal justice system, victim compensation is called restitution. The Mandatory Restitution Act of 1996 established procedures for determining the amount of restitution to which a victim may be entitled. Under federal law for most types of crimes, it is mandatory that a defendant pay restitution for offenses committed on or after April 24, 1996. For crimes committed before this date, judges have more discretion on whether or not to order restitution. For more information, contact the Victim-Witness Coordinator. 

 

Page Updated: April 13, 2006

 
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