Victim Services and Rights

If you or somebody that you know has been a victim of a crime, it may be difficult to cope with the emotional struggles that may be faced from being a victim.  First and foremost, if you are having issues dealing with victimization, consult your local Law Enforcement agency’s website to obtain valuable information on Victim Services.

With being a citizen of the United States, you have rights.  With being a victim of a crime you also have rights, and this is something that is commonly forgotten.  Make sure that you know the rights that you have as a victim.  Victims of crime are afforded certain rights under Texas law. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right to protection, information, notification, to be heard, to participate in the criminal justice system, and to seek financial remedies. Below is a general summary of the crime victims’ rights.

Victim’s Rights

You have the right to:

• be treated with fairness and respect

• be reasonably protected from harm or threats from the accused

• have your safety considered in setting bail

• receive information regarding compensation (Crime Victims’ Compensation)

• be informed of the uses of a Victim Impact Statement and the statement’s purpose

• submit a Victim Impact Statement and have it considered by the prosecution, judge, and Board of Pardons and Paroles

• privacy - as far as is reasonably practical, the contact information of the victim may not be part of the court file

• have the court consider the impact of a continuance on family violence victims or victims of assault or sexual assault younger than 17

• be present at all public proceedings, subject to the approval of the judge

• have the attorney for the state notify your employer if you must be absent from work in order to attend court

• have a waiting area in the courthouse separate from the defendant, his/her family, and witnesses

• prompt return of property after it is no longer needed as evidence

• provide information to the probation department concerning the impact of the offense

• seek financial remedies

• receive written explanation of defense initiated victim outreach, for capital felonies

• request victim-offender mediation dialogue

If requested, the right to:

• be informed about procedures in criminal investigations and the defendant’s right to bail

• be informed about court proceedings

• confer with a representative of the prosecutor’s office

• be informed about general procedures in the criminal justice system, including plea negotiations, arrangements, restitution, appeals, and parole

• be informed about the conviction, sentence, imprisonment, and release of the defendant

• be informed of parole proceedings and your right to participate and provide information to be considered by the board

If the crime was sexual in nature, the right to:

• have a trained advocate present during a forensic medical examination and law enforcement interview

• file an application for a protective order against the defendant for certain offenses

• counseling and testing for AIDS and HIV related infections

Lamar County Victim Services Information

24 Hour Phone Number

(903)575-9999

Contact Information

Office: (903)572-0973
Toll Free: 1-888-801-HELP (4357) Paris Outreach Office: (903)783-1313
Email: 
info@safe-tagency.com
Website: www.safe-tagency.com

Texas Attorney General

Toll Free 1-800-983-9933
Austin Office: (512)936-1200
Email:
crimevictims@texasattorneygeneral.gov
Webpage:
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/victims/about_comp.shtml

Lamar County/ District Attorney
Gary Young

119 N. Main Street
Paris, TX 75460
Phone: (903)737-2458
Website link:
Lamar County Attorney

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

1-800-848-4284
(512)406-5900
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Central Standard Time)

Email: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us
Webpage: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/divisions/vs/index.html

Additional rights and services are provided to child victims or witnesses. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges are encouraged to designate one or more individuals to try to assure the child and their family’s understand the legal proceedings and have support and assistance to deal with the emotional impact of the crime and the subsequent criminal proceedings.