Victim Notification Flashcards
Gathering Victim Information
Many criminal cases involve victims that can be a person, a business, or a government agency. Information obtained from the sentencing authority or state attorney’s office will identify the victim and the victim contact information. Orders of restitution, created after sentencing by the state attorney’s office, can provide the identity of the victim
Victim Information: Sources
Victim information is available from many sources, including:
• supervision orders or court minutes
• victim’s advocate
• state attorney
• defense attorney
• Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID)
• offense reports or arrest affidavits
• Presentence Investigations
• victim or the victim’s family
• Department of Corrections Victims Services
• OBIS Victim Notification Screen
Review the offense report to understand the dynamic of the victim-offender relationship further. If the sentencing authority orders special conditions regarding an offender’s victim(s), obtain accurate victim information at the onset of the supervision so that you can notify victim(s) of their rights. Verify the accuracy of victim contact information by contacting the victim(s) directly and researching Department-approved sources of information. This may help ensure that victims receive restitution and the offender adheres to any imposed no-contact provisions
Victim Notification
Section 960.001, F.S., addresses your guidelines for fair treatment of victims and witnesses involved in the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. One of the guidelines requires that you must notify the victim or victim’s family of an offender’s supervision within 30 days of orientation. The Florida Statutes and Department policy also require you to notify the victim or the victim’s family when or if:
• the offender’s status changes,
• a modification of supervision occurs, or
• the offender is arrested, released, or dies
Notify the victim or victim’s family directly using the Victim No Contact Letter form-letter only if the court orders no contact with a victim or specified person. Use the VINE form letter to advise victims of their rights and the process for registering for the Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE) system. When there are updates throughout an offender’s supervision, notify the victim using the Department’s Notification of Offender Status form-letter.
If an offender status changes, inform the victim or victim’s family of the change, and document the change and the notification in OBIS. If an offender transfers out of Florida, notify the victim or victim’s family with an additional letter informing them about the process for registering for VINEWatch, the program that tracks offenders out of state through the Interstate Compact Offender Tracking System (ICOTS).
Document any contact with victims on the Offender Contact History screen. If there is a no-contact order, document that you notified the victim of the order on the Offender Contact History screen and note any instructions you gave to an offender regarding contact restrictions
Victim Information Notification Everyday (VINE)
The VINE system is a free service for victims to receive automatic notification of changes in an offender’s custody status, including release, transfer, or death. It also provides up-to-date information on the current custody or supervision status and location of an inmate or offender. VINE has a national website called VINELink, where Florida victims can register for victim notifications via phone, email, or text 24 hours a day.
VINELink is a useful tool that helps the victim remain current on an offender’s location or change in status. However, VINELink does not notify a victim when an offender is arrested on a violation of probation (VOP) warrant. Any member of the public, including officers, can register to track an offender in VINE.
Responding to Victims
Victims understandably may have strong reactions or emotions related to an offender. You may receive calls from victims needing to express their anxieties or concerns. Victims will contact you, not law enforcement, regarding any offender behaviors that threaten their safety. In these instances, be prepared to serve as an active listener and address their concerns professionally.
Refer the victim to law enforcement if the offender is violating a court order of no contact, restraining order, or injunction. Assure the victim that you will enforce the conditions of the court order and report any violations to the sentencing authority.
