About Crime Victims

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About Crime Victims

The Wyoming Victim Bill of Rights

The right to be treated with compassion, respect and sensitivity within the criminal justice system.
The right to know the whereabouts of the defendant and the current status of the case.
The right to receive restitution from offenders.
The right to know all rights under this law, including information about services and victim assistance at the local level.
The right to know about victim compensation.
The right to reasonable protection and safety and the right to know of legal recourse, if threatened.
The right to prompt return of property.
The right to preservation of employment while participating in the criminal justice process.
The right to be informed about the opportunity to make a victim impact statement at sentencing and parole hearings.<
The right to be present at trial.

Know your role. .
know your rights

On this page you’ll also find information regarding:

Victim Impact Statements
Restitution, including
Property Damage
Medical Expenses

Victim Impact Statements

A Victim Impact Statement is a verbal or written statement describes how a crime affected a victim’s daily life, whether it affected them emotionally, physically, financially, or all three. It can include restitution estimates and an opinion on what type of sentence the defendant should receive.

A statement can be as short as a paragraph or two, or as long as two or three pages. What is written in a Victim Impact Statement is up to the victim.

A VICTIM MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT TO THE CRIME VICTIM/WITNESS COORDINATOR IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COURT OR MAY MAKE A STATEMENT, IN COURT. If you are a victim, please let the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinator know how you intend to present your statement.

A victim may present the statement verbally to the judge at sentencing rather than submitting a written statement. If the victim decides to make a statement during sentencing, it’s best to be organized. Writing down thoughts prior to the hearing may be helpful, as court can be overwhelming.

A victim does not have to submit a Victim Impact Statement if he or she does not want to do so. But remember, the judge welcomes a victim’s input and seriously considers all Victim Impact Statements.

If you have questions regarding the Victim Impact Statement, restitution, or any other questions pertaining to the court process, please do not hesitate to contact the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinators, Cherilyn Thompson, or Monica Eskew, at the County Attorney’s Office at (307) 682-4310.

For an overview of the misdemeanor criminal process and the various hearings, click here.	For an overview of the felony criminal process and the various hearings, click here.
State of Wyoming Victim Services http://vssi.state.wy.us/

Restitution

Victim restitution is court ordered payment to victims for expenses resulting from criminal activity. The intent of restitution is to have the defendant pay for the damage he/she has caused or give equivalent value for any loss, damage, or injury a victim suffers. The court is required to consider restitution in all criminal cases in which the defendant is convicted, and it is requested. The court may order restitution for a victim's actual property loss, medical and mental health expenses, loss of earnings or support, and any other related losses. Also, the court may consider restitution for long-term physical health care and any foreseeable future expenses.

As a general guideline, restitution can be ordered for "direct" costs resulting from a crime. Examples of "direct" costs include the following types of expenses:

medical bills
property repair and replacement costs
counseling costs resulting from the crime
loss of earnings and support

A victim cannot recover the following in criminal court; however, may be recoverable in a civil proceeding:

punitive damages
loss of consortium
damages for physical and mental pain

If there is property damage or loss, please provide to the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinator:

Copies of all receipts or invoices, showing the value of the item OR:
Copies of at least two estimates to repair the property, (if damaged), or replace it, (if stolen), OR:
Your insurance deductible amount and a copy of the work invoice, or insurance company approved final estimate, if you filed a claim with your insurance company.

If there are medical expenses or counseling costs, please provide to the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinator:

Copies of all unpaid medical bills and out-of-pocket receipts;
Your medical insurance deductible amount and name of the insurance company, if you filed a claim with your medical insurance;
Copies of all other bills outlining expenses;
Please advise if the defendant’s insurance company is covering this claim. If so, the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinators will still need a copy of the adjuster’s estimate of repair costs to show the court the extent of damage;
Estimated costs may be allowed in determining restitution amounts for long-term medical and mental health expenses.

If the defendant or a victim had insurance that covers the loss or expenses: Let the Crime Victim/Witness Coordinators know of the coverage and the amount of any deductible that has not been met.

If restitution is ordered, the defendant will make payments to the Clerk of Circuit Court or the Clerk of District Court, depending upon which court handled the case, who will then distribute the payments to the victim. If restitution has been ordered and your address changes, please immediately notify the Circuit Court at (307) 682-2190 or District Court at (307) 682-3424 so that payments may be sent to the appropriate address. Payments may be made by the defendant in one payment or over the course of several months, depending upon the Court’s order.