Victim Services

The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Victim Services Unit provides services to crime victims and witnesses involved in the criminal justice process.

Being the victim of a crime can have a devastating impact on innocent victims. Each victimization has its own tale of loss: the loss of a loved one, the loss of property, the loss of a sense of security, the loss of control over one’s life and the loss of trust. Victims and witnesses often suffer physical, emotional and financial trauma as a result of the crime. Crime affects not only the victim, but also the victim’s family and friends, and the effects of victimization are felt in many ways over a length of time. The Victim Services Unit is here to provide much-needed support for crime victims.

The following are some of the services that the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office Victim Services Unit offer crime victims:

• Assistance with applying to New York State Crime Victims Board for compensation. The Crime Victims Board may be able to reimburse you for your direct out-of-pocket expenses caused by the crime. These expenses may include the value of damage property, lost income or support, medical bills, or funeral bills. You may be eligible for compensation if:
  • You are the victim of a crime who has sustained personal physical injury;
  • You are the victim of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree or a victim of kidnapping in the first or second degree (limited to loss of earnings and counseling expenses);
  • You are an elderly (60 or older) or disabled victim of a crime who has suffered a loss or damage to articles of essential personal property (limited to repair or replacement of essential personal property to a maximum of $100, transportation expenses incurred for necessary court appearances in connection with the prosecution of the crime and counseling commenced within one year);
  • You are the surviving spouse, parent, child, or person dependent for your principal support, upon the victim who dies as a result of a crime;
  • You are the person who has paid or incurred the burial expenses of an innocent victim who dies as a direct result of a crime (limited to burial expenses only);
  • You are a child victim (under 18) of or witness to a crime, or the child's parent, guardian, or sibling.
• Information on your role in the criminal justice process and the significant stages of the process.
• Assistance with security measures to help protect your safety.
• Court information and case information. This includes explaining each step of the proceeding in order to help alleviate confusion and the resulting anxiety. Additionally court dates, times and places can be confirmed along with information on what to expect when you get there.
• Court accompaniment. If desired, a staff member of the Victim Services Unit will accompany the victim or witness to hearings and trial in order to provide support .
• Assistance with Property Return.
• Intervention with creditors and employers.
• Referrals to any social services you may need.
• Assistance with post-conviction proceedings, including the preparation of a Victim Impact Statement if a pre-sentence report is prepared in the case; speaking at the time of sentencing for felony offenses; and notifications regarding the defendant's parole or release from a correctional facility.