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Victim Services
Victim Services is here to help
you if you are the victim of a crime in Lamar County. Some examples
of help available include:
Provide you general information
regarding the criminal justice system.
If you have never had experience with the criminal justice system,
the process can be confusing. The Victim Services Division is
available to help you understand how the system actually works.
As your case moves through the judicial system the Victim Services
Division is available to answer questions regarding the progress
of your case.
Help completing the Victim Impact
Statement
The Victim Impact Statement is a detailed account of the emotional,
physical and financial effects the crime has had on you, the
victim and your family members. Victim Services will provide
you with this form and help you complete it, if necessary. If
you have been a victim of a property crime you will receive a
Restitution Form on which you may provide information on your
financial and property losses. |
 Allan
Hubbard
Victim Witness Coordinator
technology in the courtroom
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Help preparing an application
through the Crime Victim Compensation fund.
Victims may receive help in paying certain bills (ex: medical,
counseling) that are incurred as a result of a crime. Victim
Services can help you understand the requirements that must be
met to be eligible for the Crime Victim Compensation fund. If
you meet the basic requirements, we will assist you in preparing
the application and submitting it to the Office of the Attorney
General of Texas. Click here for more information about Crime Victims
Compensation: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvc.shtml
Brief individual counseling.
Victim Services can meet with you one-on-one, or with other members
of your family, for short-term counseling to help in the aftermath
of a crime. Oftentimes talking about what has happened to you
helps in your recovery and transition to life in the wake of
your new circumstances. We will also refer you to long-term counseling
should the need be apparent.
Refer you to various social
service agencies.
There are many social service agencies that can help in the aftermath
of a crime. Victim Services can help put you in contact with
the agencies that may be able to help. Two primary agencies we
work closely with are:
- SAFE-T (Shelter Agencies for
Families in East Texas) - 903-575-9999
- Paris Counseling Center - 903-785-7410
Accompany you to court.
Whenever you must appear in court, someone from Victim Services
will be available to accompany you, and explain ahead of time
what to expect.
Advocate for you.
There are employers, doctors offices, and other people involved
in your life who many times need explanation as to what has taken
place if you are the victim of a crime. In addition, victims
can sometimes be overlooked, ignored or taken for granted as
the prosecuting process unfolds. Victim Services is on your side
and will advocate for you in any way you need to help ease the
burden and see that your rights are upheld. Click here to read the Texas crime victims bill
of rights: http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/victim/victim-billrights.htm
Court ordered restitution.
When a defendant is convicted, the Court may order restitution
be paid as a condition of probation or parole. The court may
order restitution for any loss - and it is not limited to violent
offenses as is the Compensation Fund. It is important that you
assist law enforcement in gathering information concerning your
individual loss and give that to the investigators and prosecuting
attorney's handling the offense. The DA's office will present
the information to the court at the time of trial and seek to
obtain the court order for you to recover your property loss.
Help writing parole letters,
etc.
Victim Services will help you write parole protest letters and
other necessary correspondence related to your victimization.
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