Victim/Witness Rights

A Message from Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood

Crime victims and those who witness criminal offenses are vitally important to the criminal justice system. This is recognized by the Florida Victim/Witness Protection Act of 1984 and is emphasized every day at the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. As part of this effort, we provide clear and concise information in a timely manner to crime victims. If you are a victim or witness of a crime, the Sheriff's Office provides information that will help you get support and assistance. This publication also serves as a reference guide to all services available in Volusia County and is designed to ensure that the rights of crime victims and witnesses are protected.

Victim's Rights/Marsy's Law forms:

English

• Victim's Right to Confidentiality Form (Marsy's Law) (English)
• Victim/Witness Rights Brochure (English)
• For Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, Repeat Violence and Stalking (English)
• Sexual Battery Victim's Rights (English)
• Identity Theft Victim Kit (from the Florida Attorney General's Office)

Español

• Formulario de Derecho a la Confidencialidad de la Víctima (Ley de Marsy) (Español)

• Sus Derechos Como Víctima O Testigo (Español)

• Agresión Sexual: Sus Derechos y Servicios (Español)

• Sus Derechos Como Víctima de Violencia Domestica, Violencia Repetida, Violencia Entre Novios, Violencia Sexual, o Acecho (Español)

• Kit Para Victimas de Robo de Identidad (Español)

AS A CRIME VICTIM, THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES YOU THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:

[Article 1, Section 16(b), Florida Constitution]

• The right to due process and to be treated with fairness and respect for your dignity.

• The right to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse.

• The right, within the judicial process, to be reasonably protected from the accused and any person acting on behalf of the accused. However, this is not intended to create a special relationship between the crime victim and any law enforcement agency or office absent a special relationship or duty as defined by Florida law.

• The right to have your safety and welfare as well as your family’s considered when setting bail, including setting pretrial release conditions that could affect you or your family’s safety and welfare.

• The right to prevent the disclosure of information or records that could be used to locate or harass you or your family, or which could disclose your confidential or privileged information.

• The right to the prompt return of your property when no longer needed as evidence in the case.

• The right to full and timely restitution in every case and from each convicted offender for all losses you suffered, both directly and indirectly, because of the criminal conduct.

• The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay, and to a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post judgment proceedings. (In appropriate cases, the prosecutor may file a good faith demand for a speedy trial. In non-capital cases, all state-level appeals and post-conviction proceedings must be complete within two years and five years for capital cases, unless the court enters an order with specific findings concerning why the court was unable to do so and the circumstances causing the delay.)

• The right to be informed of your state constitutional rights, and to be informed that you can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to your rights.

 

Law Enforcement
Non-Emergency Numbers

Florida Highway Patrol: 386-736-5350

Daytona Beach: 386-671-5100

Daytona Beach Shores: 386-763-5321

DeLand: 386-626-7169

Edgewater: 386-424-2000

Holly Hill: 386-248-9475

Orange City: 386-775-9999

Ormond Beach: 386-677-0731

New Smyrna Beach: 386-424-2220

Port Orange: 386-506-5800

South Daytona: 386-322-3030

Community Legal Services
800-405-1417
www.legalaccessforall.org

Domestic Abuse Council
386-255-2102
www.dacvolusia.com

Clerk of Court
386-736-5915

Family Life Center
800-503-7621
www.flcfv.org

Federal Trade Commission
877-438-4338

First Call for Help United Way Volusia/Flagler Counties
Dial: 211
www.unitedwayvfc.org

Florida Abuse Hotline
800-962-2873
800-955-8771 (TTY)
www.dcf.state.fl.us/service-programs/abuse-hotline

Florida Attorney General
Victims' Services
800-226-6667
www.myfloridalegal.com/crime-victims-services

Florida Commission on Offender Review
Victim’s Rights/Services
855-850-8196
Victims' Rights - Florida Commission on Offender Review

Florida Dept. of Corrections Victims Services
877-884-2846
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/vict/

Florida Dept. of Juvenile Justice
Incident Hotline
800-355-2280

Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement
Sexual Offender/Predator System
888-357-7332
https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/

Florida Domestic Violence Hotline
800-500-1119
800-621-4202 (TDD)

Florida Network of Youth and Family Services
800-786-2929

National Child Abuse Hotline
800-422-4453
www.childhelp.org/hotline

National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
800-787-3224 (TTY)
www.thehotline.org

National Human Trafficking Hotline
888-373-7888
https://humantraffickinghotline.org

National Runaway Safeline
800-786-2929
www.1800runaway.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-4673
https://hotline.rainn.org

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline
866-331-9474
866-331-8453 (TTY)
www.loveisrespect.org

Office for Victims of Crime Resource Center
800-851-3420
301-240-6310 (TTY)
www.ovc.gov/resourcecenter/#

SMA Healthcare
800-539-4228
https://smahealthcare.org

Social Security Fraud Hotline
800-269-0271

State Attorney’s Office
386-239-7710 (Daytona Beach)
386-822-6400 (DeLand)
www.sao7.com

United States Department of Justice Help and Information for Crime Victims
www.justice.gov/actioncenter/find-help-and-information-crime-victims

VINE
877-846-3435
www.vinelink.com
VINE provides custody status and criminal case information. Registration is required for this service.

Volusia County Human Services
386-736-5956
https://www.volusia.org/services/community-services/community-assistance/human-services/

Volusia County Veterans Services
386-740-5102
https://www.volusia.org/services/community-services/veterans-services.stml

Crime Compensation

If you are a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for monetary reimbursement of medical bills incurred and loss of wages through the Florida Crimes Compensation Program. The purpose of the program is to provide compensation to innocent victims of crime or their families who suffer physical injury or death as a direct result of a crime. The Victims Compensation Trust Fund helps victims of violent personal crime pay for stipulated expenses they incur as a result of the crime. This is different than restitution paid by the defendant. In order to apply for Crimes Compensation, you must complete the appropriate forms and mail them to the local Crimes Compensation Office. These forms are available through hospitals, law enforcement agencies and the State Attorney's Office. More information on victim assistance or compensation can be obtained by calling the state's toll-free number (800-226-6667), the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate Program (386-254-1537) or the State Attorney’s Victim’s Advocate at 386-239-7720 or toll free at 888-502-5668.

You are very important to a successful conclusion of a criminal investigation. It is normal for you to feel anxious about providing information to law enforcement personnel and testifying in court. However, if such help is not given, the person who committed the crime may go undetected and unpunished.

Florida law prohibits any person from using intimidation, physical force, threats, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct, or offers any benefit or gain, with the intent to influence testimony or induce a victim or witness not to testify, or to hinder the investigation or proceedings. Florida law also prohibits retaliation against victims and witnesses. These acts are serious crimes. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and courts will act upon them promptly.

If you are threatened, intimidated or believe a person has attempted or is attempting to influence your testimony, or if you or any member of your family in any way feels threatened, immediately contact the Volusia Sheriff’s Office or any local law enforcement agency. The Sheriff’s Office will take the appropriate steps to enhance your protection as a victim or witness during all phases of the criminal investigation and in any judicial proceedings.