April 8, 2014
LAS VEGAS - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto observes National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, which began April 6th, reminds Nevadans of their rights, and promotes the Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) program.
“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA),” said Masto. “One of the best ways to assist crime victims is by helping them stay informed, it is their right.” She added, “VINE helps crime victims by providing a critical service that enhances their personal safety and empowers them to make informed choices about their cases, their alleged or convicted offenders, and their lives.”
Nevada Victims' Bill of Rights
You have the right:
- To know the status of the case in which you are involved
- To be free from intimidation or dissuasion
- To know when your impounded property may be released.
- To receive a witness fee for lawful obedience to a subpoena.
- To understand the existing victim compensation laws and receive compensation if applicable.
- To a secure waiting area, that is not available to the defendant or his family, when you are at court.
- To know when the defendant is released from custody before or during trial (upon written request).
- To know when the offender is released from prison (upon written request).
Learn more about the Nevada Victims’ Bill of Rights here: http://ag.nv.gov/Hot_Topics/Victims/Victims_Rights/.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week will be held April 6–12 in communities throughout the nation. In Washington, DC, the U.S. Department of Justice will kick off the week with OVC’s annual Service Awards Ceremony to honor outstanding individuals and programs that serve victims of crime. In Nevada the Victims of Crime Program will be distributing awareness materials. One nexus of crime is sexual assault. Sexual Assault Awareness (SAAM) month is also in April. National SAAM encourages communities to promote healthy relationships and to increase awareness about the devastating impact of sexual violence. Find out ways to get involved by visiting local non-profit organizations such as the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Rape Crisis Center Las Vegas, Nevada Sexual Violence Prevention and Education through the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and the universities.
Learn more about the Nevada Victims of Crime Program: http://voc.nv.gov. Learn more about the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence: http://www.nnadv.org. Access VINE here: https://www.vinelink.com/vinelink/siteInfoAction.do?siteId=29000.
General Masto asks VINE users to participate in a survey to provide feedback. Agencies and concerned citizens are also encouraged to participate in the survey to help improve the services. The survey is available on our website at https://surveysolutions.appriss.com/survey/main/site/29000.
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