THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604190246
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Victims don't have to feel so victimized, said Diane Bryant, director of the local Victim/ Witness Assistance Program.
Thanks to legislation passed last year, crime victims are entitled to more rights than ever before. And Bryant wants them to know how to take advantage of the new law that must be implemented by this July.
Bryant has already started enacting some aspects of the law, such as providing forms to victims so they can request that they be notified if a defendant is released or transferred from jail or escapes.
Victims have always had the right to be notified of a defendant's release from the state penitentiary, Bryant said. Now the law also covers local jails.
Victims also can write a victim impact statement themselves instead of relying on the commonwealth's attorney's office.
This week is being observed as Victims' Rights Week in Suffolk and across the nation. This year's theme is ``Victim Justice: A New Day Dawns.''
``This is a banner year for us,'' said Bryant, ``because of the new laws in place. We want to educate our communities that they now have certain rights under the law.''
Victims and witnesses also have other rights. They must not be penalized by their employer if subpoenaed to testify in court. They can be reimbursed for certain medical bills, lost wages and counseling expenses for sexual assaults. And families can be reimbursed for up to $2,000 of funeral expenses of victims.
Court companionship is another right available to victims, who can request that someone go to court with them. Victims also can request a separate waiting area during court proceedings.
A ``victim'' is anyone who suffers physically, psychologically or economically as a result of a felony or certain misdemeanor offenses: assault and battery, stalking, sexual battery, attempted sexual battery and driving while intoxicated. Rights are also extended to a spouse or child of a victim, a parent or legal guardian of a minor victim and to a spouse, parent or legal guardian of a physically or mentally incapacitated victim or a homicide victim.
Recently, an additional $3 assessment was added to court costs to provide increased funds to add staff members to Victim/Witness Assistance Programs and to establish programs in localities without one.
The Suffolk program will expand once the new court complex is built and space becomes available.
For the present, Bryant handles the case load single-handedly. She concentrates her efforts on Circuit Court cases. Eventually she hopes to have other staff members to cover General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts, which she is unable to serve.
``When I get a request for services from one of them, I honor that, but I don't go there on a regular basis,'' she said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Diane Bryant
by CNB