The Victim Assistance Program works closely with the local social service agencies. Referrals are made on the basis of the victim’s specific needs. Typical referrals are made for short and long-term counseling, abuse shelters, legal aid and financial assistance.

        Hendry County Sheriff’s Office:

Main Number (863) 674-4060

Victim Assistance Program  (863) 674-4060

Victim Advocate (863) 674-4060

Ext. 215

Hendry County Social Services (863) 675-5356

Hendry Glades Mental Health (863) 674-4050

Domestic Violence Unit at the Court House

(Injunctions for Protection) (863) 675-5208

After hours 911 or (863) 674-4060

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (863) 674-4060

Emergencies……………………………………..911

Salvation Army (863) 674-1441

Shelter for Abused Women (863) 674-1811

(R.E.A.C.T.)

Crisis Line 1-800-500-1119

State Attorney’s Office (863) 674-4033

Victim Services Information 1-800-226-6667

Witness Management (863) 675-5214

Case Number: _____________________________

Investigator: _____________________ID: _______

Victim Advocate: ___________________________

YOUR RIGHTS AS A VICTIM….

Florida Statute 960.001 guarantees that victims of crime, including the next of kin of homicide, suicide survivors, are entitled to certain basic rights, including but not limited to, the right to be informed of your rights, to the extent that these rights do not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.

The Hendry County Sheriff’s Office establishment of this program represents the concern of the Sheriff to provide the citizens of Hendry County with additional support in their time of need. This program assists crime victims in their recovery from emotional, physical and financial problems caused by crime.

It is the duty of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Victim’s Advocate to provide crime victims with compassion, advocacy, legal assistance and compensation, in their time of need.

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate is available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

Advocate provide:

Crisis intervention

Emotional support

Assistance in obtaining information regarding your case

Translation assistance

Assistance in completing victim compensation forms, and other means of financial assistance

Community referrals

Support during hearings, arraignments, or trial

Other personal advocacy as needed

If you have recently been the

victim of a crime, you may be feeling alone and in need of intervention.

Please contact us we may be able to help.

Hendry County Sheriff’s Office

Victim Advocate

(863) 674-4060 ext 215

8am - 5pm

1.You have the right to be made aware of the availability of crime victim compensation, when applicable. The Victim Assistance Bureau can provide you with the application and assistance with these forms. For assistance you may call 1-800-226-6667.

2. You have the right to crisis intervention services, supportive or bereavement counseling, social service support, referrals, community based victim treatment programs.

3. You have the right to be advised of your role as a victim in the criminal or juvenile justice process, including what the victim may expect from the system as well as what the system expects from the victim.

4. You have the right to know the stages in the in the criminal or juvenile justice process which are significance to the victim and the manner in which information can be obtained.

5. You have the right as a victim or the next of kin of a homicide victim, who is not incarcerated, to be informed, be present and to be heard when relevant, at all crucial stages of a criminal or juvenile proceeding, to the extent that this right does not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.

6. If you are incarcerated, you have the right to be informed and to submit written statements at all crucial stages of the criminal proceedings and parole proceedings.

7. You have the right to a prompt and timely disposition of the case in order to minimize the period during which the victim must endure the responsibilities and stress involved to the extent that this right does not interfere with the constitutional rights of the accused.

8. You have the right to be notified within four hours of the release or transfer of a defendant from jail for any case of homicide, sexual offense, attempted murder or stalking or domestic violence. You have the right to have the suspect tested for HIV if there was a transmission of body fluids during the crime.

9. You have the right to waive your right to notification

of release, you may also choose a designated contact for

notification.

10. You have the right to be advised of protection that may be available to you as a victim or as a witness in a case. This includes information concerning protection from notification.

11. You have the right to be advised of any scheduling changes concerning your criminal or juvenile justice proceedings concerning your case. Contact the Witness Management Office at the County Courthouse.

12. You have the right to be present at all judicial

proceedings concerning your case. This includes any

victim , relative of a minor who is a victim, or relative of homicide victim. You are entitled to advance notification of judicial proceedings relating to the arrest and release of the accused as well as proceedings in the prosecution of the case.

13. You have the right to consultation with the State

Attorney as a victim of a felony involving physical or

emotional injury or trauma or in a case in which the

Victim is a minor child or in a homicide, the guardian will be consulted.

14. You have the right to have property returned unless there is a compelling law enforcement reason for retaining it.

15. You have the right to request that the Victim

Assistance Bureau or the State Attorney ‘s Office

notify employers and creditors of any court

proceedings that directly involve the victim.

16. You have the right to request and receive restitution for losses incurred as a result of the crime. You have the right to submit documentation of losses to the State Attorney ‘s office and the right of law enforcement of the restitution order under F.S.S. 775.089(6) and 985. 201

17. You have the right to submit a written or oral victim impact statement.

18. Victims and witnesses shall be provided with such other assistance, such as transportation, parking

separate pretrial waiting areas and translator services

in attending court, as is practicable.

19. You have the right to be notified of the defendants escape from state correctional institution, county jail juvenile detention facility or involuntary commitment facility.

20. You have the right to have a victim advocate present during any depositions concerning your case.

21. You have the right to know that certain victim information may be kept confidential. Information such home or employment telephone number,

home or employment address, or personal assets of a person who has been the victim of sexual battery aggravated child abuse, aggravated stalking,

harassment, aggravated battery or domestic violence may be kept confidential upon written request by the victim. Information is kept confidential for a period of five (5) years.

22. Upon request the State Attorney’s Office shall permit the victim, victim’s parent, guardian or next of kin to review a copy of the Pre Sentence Investigation prior to sentencing if one is completed.

23. The victim of a crime and the State Attorney’s Office, with consent of the victim, has standing to assert the rights of a crime victim which are provided by law.

24. Provide information regarding the victim’s right to request the courtroom be cleared, with certain exceptions during is or her testimony of a sexual offense, regardless of the victim’s age or mental capacity.

25. Information that victims and witnesses who are not incarcerated shall not be required to attend discovery depositions in any correctional facility.

26. Provide information notifying a victim that the victim or the next of kin of a victim may not be excluded from any portion of any hearing, trial, or proceeding pertaining to the offense based solely on the fact that such person is subpoenaed to testify, unless, upon motion, the court determines such person’s presence to be prejudicial.

27. To request, in certain circumstances, that the offender be required to attend a different school than the victim or the siblings of the victim.

28. Provide information regarding victims right to be notified of the arrest and release of the accused (including any modification of the release conditions such as community control or work release).