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Vivyan Corpus

Victim Assistance Coordinator

300 W. 3rd Avenue, Suite 301
Corsicana, Texas 75110

(903) 875-3309

vcorpus@navarrocounty.org

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  • For victims that would like information on resources available please contact the Navarro County Victim Assistance Coordinator.

    Protective Orders / Order De Proteccion


    Restitution / Restitucion

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  • Victim means a person who is the victim of an offense of sexual assault, kidnapping, aggravated robbery, or injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual or who has suffered personal injury or death as a result of the criminal conduct of another. A close relative is a spouse, parent, adult brother/sister or adult child of a deceased victim or the guardian of a victim. As a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim you are entitled to the following rights with the criminal justice system:

     

    • The right to receive from law enforcement agencies the adequate protection from harm and threats arising from the cooperation with prosecution efforts;
    • The right to have the magistrate take the safety of the victim or his family into consideration as an element in fixing the amount of bail for the accused;
    • The right, if requested, to be informed (a) by the attorney representing the state of relevant court proceedings, including appellate proceedings, and to be informed if those court proceedings have been canceled or rescheduled prior to the event; and (b) by an appellate court of decisions of the court, after the decisions are entered but before the decisions are made public;
    • The right to be informed, when requested, by a peace officer concerning the defendant’s right to bail and the procedures in criminal investigations and by the district attorney’s office concerning the general procedures in the criminal justice system, including general procedures in guilty plea negotiations and arrangements, restitution, and the appeals and parole process;
    • The right to provide pertinent information to a probation department conducting a pre-sentencing investigation concerning the impact of the offense on the victim and his family by testimony, written statements, or any other manner prior to any sentencing of the offender;
    • The right to receive information regarding compensation to victims of crime as provided by Subchapter B, Chapter 56, including information related to the costs that may be compensated under that Act and the amount of compensation, eligibility for compensation, and procedures for application for compensation under the Act, the payment for a medical examination under Article 56.06 of this code for a victim of a sexual assault, and when requested, a referral to available social service agencies that may offer additional assistance;
    • The right to be informed, upon request, of parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to be notified, if requested of parole proceedings concerning a defendant in the victim’s case, to provide to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for inclusion in the defendant’s file information to be considered by the board prior to the parole of any defendant convicted of any crime subject to this Act, and to be notified, if requested, of the defendant’s release;
    • The right to be provided with a waiting area, separate or secured from other witnesses, including the offender and relatives of the offender, before testifying in any proceeding concerning the offender; if a separate waiting area is not available, other safeguards should be taken to minimize the victim’s contact with the offender and the offender’s relatives and witnesses, before and during court proceedings;
    • The right to prompt return of any property of the victim that is held by a law enforcement agency or the attorney for the state as evidence when the property is no longer required for that purpose;
    • The right to have the attorney for the state notify the employer of the victim, if requested, of the necessity of the victim’s cooperation and testimony in a proceeding that may necessitate the absence of the victim from work for good cause;
    • The right to counseling, on request, regarding acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and testing for AIDS, HIV, antibodies to HIV, or infection with any other probably causative agent of AIDS, if the offense is an offense under Section 21.11 (a) (1), 22.011 or 22.021, Penal Code. (Sexual Assault, Aggravated Sexual Assault, or Indecency with a Child by Contact);
    • The right to request victim-offender mediation coordinated by the Victim Services Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
    • The right to be informed of the uses of a victim impact statement and the statement’s purpose in the criminal justice system, to complete the victim impact statement, and to have the victim impact statement considered: (a) by the attorney representing the state and the judge before sentencing or before a plea bargain agreement is accepted; and (b) by the Board of Pardons and Paroles before an inmate is released on parole; and
    • Except as provided by Article 56.06 (a), for a victim of a sexual assault, the right to a forensic medical examination if the sexual assault is reported to a law enforcement agency within 96 hours of the assault.

    A victim, guardian of a victim, or a close relative of a deceased victim is entitled to the right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, subject to the approval of the judge in the case. The office of the attorney representing the state and the sheriff, police and other law enforcement agencies shall ensure to the extent practicable that a victim, guardian of a victim, or a close relative of a deceased victim is afforded the rights granted by Subsection (a) of this article and, on request an explanation of those rights. A judge, attorney for the state, peace officer, or law enforcement agency is not liable for a failure or inability to provide a right enumerated in this article. The failure or inability of any person to provide a right or service enumerated in this article may not be used by a defendant in a criminal case as a ground for appeal, a ground to set aside the conviction or sentence, or a ground in a habeas corpus petition. A victim, guardian of a victim, or a close relative of a deceased victim does not have standing to participate as a party in a criminal proceeding or to contest the disposition of any charge.

    Crime Victim’s Rights (Spanish) / Derechos De Victimas de Crimen pdf

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    • How are crimes classified in Texas?

      Texas law classifies offenses in two broad categories: felony and misdemeanor. Felony offenses are the more serious and involve possible commitment to the Texas prison system. Felonies are prosecuted in the District Court or County Court at Law and include most offenses against the person and serious property offenses such as house and business burglaries. Misdemeanors are prosecuted in the county court and involve offenses such as DWI and simple assaults and thefts. The District Attorney is responsible for prosecuting all such cases.

       

    • Can conditions be set as part of the bond?

      Yes, in many cases conditions may be set. Oftentimes the magistrate who sets the bond amount has not talked to the crime victim and does not know the special concerns of a particular crime victim. If you have a question or concern about bond conditions, you may call the prosecutor assigned to the case or the Victim Assistance Coordinator. The prosecutor may be able to have special bond conditions set, if the judge or magistrate agrees the conditions are needed.

       

    • What if someone threatens me to drop charges?

      Such a person is obstructing justice and may be guilty of a felony offense called “Retaliation.” Call the law enforcement agency that investigated the case originally so the threat can be documented and action taken to prevent recurrence. Also, inform the prosecutor assigned to your case and/or the Victim Assistance Coordinator of the incident.

       

    • Why do some cases get dismissed?

      If the prosecutor determines that there is not sufficient evidence to obtain a conviction, or that there exists some legal problem in the case, the prosecutor may file a motion asking that the case be dismissed. This action is taken only after complete investigation and normally after police have exhausted all avenues for obtaining more evidence. The judge may grant the motion to dismiss if satisfied that the case cannot be proven at trial.

       

    • How will I be notified?

      When the judge calls your case for trial, you can expect the District Attorney’s Office to notify you. Although many cases are set for trial each week, not every case is reached. The prosecutor will try to give you as much notice as possible, but sometimes the prosecutor has short notice. Therefore, it is very important that you notify your assigned prosecutor or the Victim Assistance Coordinator if you move or change phone numbers. We must be able to contact you in order to effectively prosecute the case.

       

    • Do I need to attend all of the court settings?

      No, not unless you are notified by the District Attorney’s Office that you need to be there. Generally, there are several court settings before the case is resolved. You are welcome to attend any setting, but your presence is not always required.

       

    • When will my case go to trial?

      Most courts have a crowded docket - some more crowded than others. The courts generally try the oldest cases first and give a preference to defendants who are in jail awaiting trial. The judge sets his/her own docket. Most cases are tried anywhere from nine months to three years from the defendant’s arrest.

       

    • Will there be a negotiated plea in my case?
      A negotiated plea or plea agreement is an agreement between the prosecutor, the defense attorney, and the defendant as to what punishment the defendant will receive for the crime he/she committed. In making a plea offer the prosecutor will try to recommend a sentence that is close to what a jury might give in a similar case. In exchange for a certain punishment, the defendant gives up all constitutional rights, including the right to a jury trial and appeal.

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