Victim/Witness Information

The Victim Witness Assistance Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office provides services for victims and witnesses of federal crimes. Our staff provide case status information, education regarding the federal criminal justice system, court accompaniment, crisis intervention, referrals to various social service organizations in the county, state and other federal agencies.

It is our goal to ensure that crime victims and witnesses are afforded their rights as well as ensure their treated fairly during the prosecution process.

Victims’ Rights

Federal crime victims* have the following rights, as set forth in the Justice for All Act of 2004, U.S.C. $ 3711:

(1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused.

(2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused.

(3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.

(4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, plea, sentencing, or any parole proceeding.

(5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.

(6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law.

(7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.

(8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim's dignity and privacy.

We will make our best efforts to ensure you are accorded the rights described.

You can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to these rights, Section 3771(c)(2).

* According to the act, a victim is “a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of a Federal offense or an offense in the District o Columbia. In the case of a crime victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardians of the crime victim or representatives of the crime victim’s estate, family members, or any other persons appointed suitable by the court, may assume the crime victim’s right under this chapter, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such guardian or representative.”

Crime Victims Compensation

If you are a victim who was injured during a crime you may be eligible to file a claim with the PENNSYLVANIA CRIME VICTIM’S COMPENSATION BOARD (CVCB) for uninsured ir unreimbursable medical expense. any . The CVCB accepts claims for unreimbursed medical expenses and/or loss of wages that are incurred as a direct result of a crime.

ELIGIBILITY

• The crime must have occurred in Pennsylvania.
  
• The crime must have been reported to the proper authorities (police/hospital) within 72 hours of the incident or a Protection from Abuse Order was filed within three days.
  
• You must have incurred at least $100.00 of unreimbursed medical expenses and/or loss of wages as a direct result of the incident.
  
• You must cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
  
• You must file your claim within one (1) year of the date of the incident, or 2 years if you can show good cause.
  

TYPES OF EXPENSES REIMBURSED

• Medical Expenses - Medical, dental and other expenses related to the injury (including physical therapy, medications, home health care, medical equipment and transportation costs to medical and counseling appointments).
  
• Counseling - If a crime results in death, the spouse, children, parents or siblings who, at the time of the crime, lived in the same house as the victim are eligible for compensation for counseling expenses. In other crimes, compensation for counseling covers only the victim.
  
• Loss of Earnings or Support - If deprived of earnings as a result of injury received in a crime incident, the victim may be paid for such loss provided all requirements are met. If deprived of support due to the death of a victim as a result of a crime incident, you may be eligible for compensation.
  
• Loss of Benefits - If Social Security, veteran’s retirement, railroad retirement, pensions/retirement, disability, or court ordered child/spousal support is the main source of income and the loss occurs through robbery, assault, rape, homicide, kidnapping or burglary, you may be compensated within certain limits.
  
• Funeral Expenses - If you paid or are liable to pay the funeral bill for a deceased victim, you may be compensated for loss, within certain limits.
  
• Crime-scene Cleanup
  
• Relocation Assistance

The maximum claim allowed by law is $ 35,000. Compensation for lost earnings may not exceed $15,000 and for loss of support in the event of the victim’s death $20,000.

Victims Compensation Program
Office of Victims’ Services
Pennsylvania Commission
on Crime and Delinquency
P. O. Box 1167
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
17108-1167

Telephone
(800) 233-2339 or (717) 783-5153

Fax (717) 787-4306
www.pccd.state.pa.us

Case Information

If you are a victim of a federal crime charged and filed in this district, we can notify you of:

1. the arrest of a suspected offender;
2. the nature of the charges against a suspected offender;
3. the scheduling of each court proceeding that you are either required or entitled to attend;
4. the pre-trial release on bail or detention status of a suspected offender;
5. the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or the rendering of a verdict after trial; and
6. the sentence imposed on an offender.

If you have any questions, please contact our Victim Witness Coordinator at 215.861.8200.

• Information re: U.S. v. Arthur Toll, Bruce Edmundson and Elliot Fisher [Regal Communications - Securities Fraud]
  
• Information re: U.S. v. Capell and Buttery: Press Release; and Indictment
  
• Information re: U.S. v. Melvin D. Shaw: Press Release; and Indictment
  
• Information re: U.S. v. Thomas Massara: Press Release; and Indictment
  
• Information re: U.S. v. Norman Shapiro, Howard Coff, Marc Feldman.: Press Release; and Indictment