The Utah County Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Coordinators offer support to victims of violent and/or felony crimes during the criminal prosecution of the offender. They act as a liaison between you and the Deputy County Attorney handling your case and can provide you with the following services if you make arrangements with them in advance:
- Attend important court hearings with you, such as the Bail, Preliminary, and Entry of Plea (Arraignment) Hearings, the Jury Trial as well as the Sentencing Hearing and getting interpreters when needed.
- Provide you information about your case, scheduling and scheduling changes, restitution, counseling, court orientation, and coordinate information among different agencies, i.e. police departments, hospitals, attorneys, etc.
- Facilitate visits/tours to the court facilities and/or help secure a place for you to wait until the defendant is removed from court hearings and provide protection assistance, if needed.
- Help in receiving payment of witness fees and mileage, and securing transportation and lodging arrangements for out-of-state witnesses.
- Assist you with your employer in the event that you are having trouble getting the necessary time off work.
More Information and Resources
GENERALLY
All victims and witnesses of crime should be treated with dignity, respect, courtesy, and sensitivity. The rights of victims and witnesses of crime are protected by the law in a manner no less vigorous than protections afforded criminal defendants.
CHILDREN
Child victims and witnesses should be treated with additional consideration than usually afforded adults. The treatment should ensure that the child's participation be conducted in the most effective and least traumatic, intrusive, or intimidating manner.
Children, in particular, should have a speedy disposition of the entire criminal justice process.
PROTECTION
Victims and witnesses have a right to be informed as to the level of protection from intimidation and harm available to them.
Victims and witnesses should have a secure waiting area that does not require them to be in close proximity to defendants or the family and friends of defendants.
Victims and witnesses cannot be compelled to disclose their home addresses and phone numbers in open court.
INFORMATION
Victims and witnesses, including children and their guardians, have a right to be informed and assisted as to their role in the criminal justice process.
Victims and witnesses have a right to clear explanations regarding relevant legal proceedings.
COURT PROCEEDINGS
Victims and witnesses should have a speedy disposition of the entire criminal justice process.
Victims and witnesses have the right to timely notice of judicial proceedings they are to attend and timely notice of cancellation.
Victims and witnesses have the right to reasonable employer intercession services, to minimize any loss of pay or other benefits resulting from the employee's participation in the criminal justice process.
RESTITUTION
Victims may seek restitution or reparations, including medical costs.
Victims have a right to have personal property returned expeditiously when it is no longer needed for court, law enforcement, or prosecution purposes.
SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
Victims of sexual assault have the right to be informed of their right to request voluntary testing for themselves for HIV infection. Victims have the right to request mandatory testing of the convicted sexual offender for HIV infection.
SENTENCING
Victims have the right to provide a written statement prior to sentencing and an oral statement at the time of sentencing.
Protective Orders
http://www.utcourts.gov/resources/forms/protectorder/information.html
- Criminal Protective Order - A criminal protective order may be requested by the prosecuting agency on the victim’s behalf at the first court hearing in a domestic violence case. The protective order is designed to shield the victim from unwanted contact with the defendant while the criminal case is pending.
- Civil Protective Order - A civil protective order is issued at the request of the victim if certain criteria are met.
- No Contact Order - As a condition of bail or release, the judge may order the defendant have no contact either direct or indirect with any victim or witness in the case. No contact orders are not enforceable by the police, but a violation may be charged as Contempt of Court. No contact orders are useful for children or minors in a domestic violence case or for non-cohabitant victims.
- Safety Plan - Please visit www.utahcounty.gov/Dept/Sheriff/Information/VictimServices.asp for a detailed safety plan.
VINE (Victim Information Network Everyday)
https://vinelink.com/#/home/site/45000
1-877-884-8463
VINE is an automated victim notification service. It provides information about the custody status of offenders in Utah prisons and jails as well as information about hearings in all Utah district courts and some justice courts.
VINE is a free service offered by the State of Utah in cooperation with Utah's law enforcement community.
Adult Probation and Parole
www.corrections.utah.gov/probation_parole/region4.html
801-374-7663
Victim Impact Statement : Victims can express sentencing recommendations and the impact the defendant’s crime has had on their life. Adult Probation and Parole should contact the victim for a victim impact statement prior to finalizing the “pre-sentence report” which is submitted to the court prior to sentencing. The victim impact statement should include any economic loss suffered, physical, mental or emotional injuries, changes in personal welfare or familial relationships, request for mental health services, and any other information related to the offense and the impact of the offense on the victim or the victim’s family.
Office of Crime Victims Reparation
www.crimevictim.utah.gov
801-238-2360
1-800-621-7444
Victims of violent crime can apply to the Utah Office of Crime Victims Reparation for help in paying expenses incurred as a result of the crime. Awards can be made up to $25,000 and up to $50,000 for medical expenses incurred as a result of Homicide, Attempted Homicide, Aggravated Assault, and Driving Under the Influence. Victims may obtain applications directly from the CVR, its website, a local law enforcement agency, or a victim advocate.
College Campus Safety Tips
https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/campus-safety-guide/
Life on campus comes with newfound excitement and fun, particularly for students living away from home for the first time, but it may also come with risks. Learn more about college crimes, including sexual violence, and where and how to find information, support, and help for yourself and others.
| Organization Name and Website | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network | 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) |
| Crisis Line of Utah County | 1-800-226-4433 |
| Hope Line (Crisis/Suicide Prevention) | 1-800-442-HOPE (4673) |
| Veterans Peer Support Line | 1-877-VET2VET (838-2838) |
| Spanish Speaking Suicide Hotline | 1-800-SUICIDA (784-2432) |
| Teen to Teen Peer Counseling Hotline | 1-877-YOUTHLINE (968-8454) |
| Graduate Student Hotline | 1-800-GRADHLP (472-3457) |
| Post Partum Depression Hotline | 1-800-PPD-MOMS (773-6667) |
| Utah County Rape Crisis | 801-377-5500 |
| Statewide Child Abuse Hotline | 1-855-323-3237 |
| Missing and Exploited Children | 1-800-THE-LOST (5678) |
| Utah Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis and Information Line | 1-888-421-1100 |
| Rape Crisis Center | 801-356-2511 or 1-888-421-1100 |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) |
| Utah Domestic Violence Hotline | 1-800-897-LINK (5465) |
| Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line | 801-373-7393 |
| Organization and Website | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Children's Justice Center | 801-851-8554 |
| Utah Valley Regional Medical Center Counseling Services | 801-373-7850 |
| Family Support and Treatment Center (Child Crisis Nursery/Family Counseling) |
801-229-1181 |
| Intermountain Specialty Abuse Treatment | 801-373-0210 |
| Wasatch Mental Health | 801-373-4760 |
| Adult Protective Services | 1-800-371-7897 |
| Women's Crisis Shelter | 801-377-5500 |
| Division of Child and Family Services | 801-374-7005 |
| Guardian Ad Litem | 801-344-8516 |
| Utah Division of Consumer Protection | 801-530-6601 |
| Organization and Website | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Utah Legal Services | 801-375-1031 |
| Disability Law Center | 1-800-662-9080 |
| Protective Orders (Fourth District Court) | 801-429-1016 |
| Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral | 1-800-698-9077 |
| Utah Crime Victim Legal Clinic | 801-467-7282 |