Office of the Victims’ Rights Ombuds: Frequently Asked Questions

A. Yes.  If you believe a prosecutor has failed to provide you with the rights to which you are entitled under the CVRA, you may complete the CVRA complaint form here.  You may file a CVRA complaint against any Department of Justice employee. 

A.   No. This office does not have authority to review complaints arising from criminal cases filed in state court. The Department’s Office for Victims of Crime has information about state victim resources and compensation programs. You may also want to contact the Attorney General’s office in your state.  

A. Yes. FBI investigators are Department of Justice employees. If you believe a Department of Justice employee has failed to provide you with the rights to which you are entitled, complete the CVRA complaint form here. 

A.   No. This office does not have authority to review complaints against state or local law enforcement officials or members of the judiciary or legislature. You can find information about filing a complaint against local law enforcement or a judge or a state government agency here: Complaints Against the Government

A. You can file your complaint via email: usaeo.VictimOmbudsman@usdoj.gov.  You can also mail your complaint to:

Victims’ Rights Ombuds
Executive Office for United States Attorneys
Department of Justice
RFK Main Justice Building
950 Pennsylvania Ave.
N.W. Room 2261
Washington, DC 20530-0001

A. No. This office only has the authority to receive and review complaints against Department of Justice employees. You can find information about filing a complaint against an employee at another federal agency here: Complaints Against the Government

A. You may contact the Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). You can reach the Office for Victims of Crime at 202-307-5983. You may also find additional resources and help through the Department of Justice Action Center. OVC has information about state victim resources and compensation programs. You may also want to contact the Attorney General’s office in your state.

A. No. The Department of Justice does not ordinarily confirm or deny or otherwise comment on the existence of an investigation. The Government must be mindful of the need to maintain confidentiality of nonpublic, sensitive information.

A. Yes. You will receive written notification that we have received your complaint. The Ombuds will provide you with a final written determination of whether a violation of the CVRA occurred.

A. This office does not have access to VNS. The U.S. Attorney’s office has assigned a Victim Witness Specialist to assist you. The Victim Witness Specialist can troubleshoot the problem with VNS; contact them directly.

A. Yes. The rights of federal crime victims under the CVRA are guaranteed from the time federal criminal proceedings are initiated by complaint, information, or indictment. 

A.  No. This office does not have the authority to challenge prosecutive decisions or compel federal investigators or prosecutors to take any specific action in a case. Also, CVRA rights do not attach until federal criminal proceedings are initiated by complaint, information, or indictment.

A. No. This office does not provide legal advice, and we cannot find an attorney for you.