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Victims’ Rights / Laura’s Card

Arkansas law (Act 873 and Arkansas Victim Rights Law/Act 1262) provides certain protections to victims. Under the law:

• Victims may be present at all court proceedings and/or may have a representative appear on their behalf.

• A victim may submit an impact statement to the court.

• An employer cannot fire or discipline an employee who participates in criminal proceedings at the prosecutor’s request.

• A victim may request a secure waiting area during court proceedings.

• Upon conviction of the defendant, the victim is entitled to know where he/she is confined, information about their release, furlough, or if they escape, and has the opportunity to testify or submit a written statement to the parole board.

• A victim is entitled to know about any appeals filed.

• A victim may designate a person to serve as moral support during court proceedings and may appear with them in court.

These protections are in addition to those protections found elsewhere in state and federal law. If you feel you are in danger of being victimized again, you should contact your local prosecutor’s victim coordinator to begin the process of fi ling for an order of protection or you can download the form to file for an order of protection at LaurasCard.ar.gov. The Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program, administered by the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Crime Victims Reparations Board, provides financial compensation to victims who have suffered personal injury or death as the result of a violent crime. For details and to obtain an application, visit LaurasCard.ar.gov. Submit the application and contact for questions: Crime Victims Reparations Board Arkansas Attorney General 323 Center Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-1020 or (800) 448-3014.

Laura’s Card

Rights and Responsibilities of Victims of Crimes

Victim Helpline

Local (501) 450 -3138
(Counseling Services for UCA Students, Faculty, & Staff Only)
University of Central Arkansas Police Department
Chief of Police
John Merguie
(501) 450 – 3111

Your Rights

Arkansas law / Act 873                  Arkansas Victim Rights Law / Act 1262

If you do not have access to the internet, a copy may be requested through your local law enforcement agency or prosecutor’s office.  

You MUST request these rights 

  1. You have a right to Privacy while in all medical facilities and while seeking medical attention.
  2. You have a right to petition the court for an Order of Protection (http://www.arlegalservices.org/orderofprotection).
  3. You have a right to request the court keep your physical address and personal telephone number confidential.
  4. You have a right to your own attorney during all court proceedings.
  5. You have a right to a notice of all court proceedings.
  6. You have a right to contact the Prosecutor’s Victims Witness Coordinator.
  7. You have a right to be present at all hearings where the defendant is present.
  8. You have a right to responsible protection before, during, and after all court proceedings.
  9. If available, you have the right to be provided a separate waiting area before, during, and after all court proceedings.
  10. In criminal proceedings, you have a right to request restitution be sought through the prosecutor’s office.
  11. You have a right to provide a Victim Impact Statement at the sentencing hearing (acic.org).
  12. You have the right to be notified on the status of the alleged or convicted offender (vinelink.com).
  13. You have a right to be provided with an interpreter during all court proceedings.
  14. If the victim is a minor, incapacitated or deceased, a member of the victim’s family may exercise these rights.

 

You are not alone.  If you are being abused, help is near.

 

As a Victim, you may experience the following:

  1. Shock, disbelief, numbness
  2. Change of appetite
  3. Change in sleep patterns
  4. Guilt, shame and/or self-blame
  5. Anxiety/Depression
  6. Reliving traumatic event (unwanted memories of event)
  7. Anger
  8. Difficulty concentrating
  9. Fatigue

Plan for Safety

  1. Develop a code that will alert a neighbor/friend to call the police
  2. Have a bag packed with a change of clothes, important papers, spare keys, cell phone and cash
  3. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1

Your Responsibilities: 

  • Visiting (ACIC) for a complete list of rights
  • Keeping a complete and accurate accounting of all expenses related to the crime
  • Providing law enforcement with up to date contact information
  • Victim’s rights are not automatically

Crime Victims Reparations Board Help for Crime Victims: 

An innocent victim of a violent crime (including DWI) may qualify for financial help from the Crime Victims Reparations Board. This money may help pay for medical expenses, or other costs related to personal injuries that were caused by a violent crime.  Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program Link

You May Qualify for Assistance if: 

  1. The crime was reported to law enforcement within 72 hours
  2. An application for assistance is received within one year of the date of the crime
  3. The victim cooperates with the investigation
  4. The victim did not contribute to the crime

For more information contact your victim witness coordinator or the Office of the Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
Tower Building 323 Center Street Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 682-1020 or (800) 448-3014 

24 Hour Crisis Line 

Hotline Centers for  Healing Hearts & Spirits  (855) 6-HELP-4_U   (855) 643-5748

Domestic Violence    (800) 269-4668

Child Abuse     (800) 482-5964

Adult Abuse   (501) 482-8049

Rape Crisis Program  (855) 643-5748

Human Trafficking  (888) 373-7888

Shelters

Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence Women’s Shelter of  Arkansas   (501) 730-9864

Local Victim Services and Social Services

UCA Student Health    (501) 450-3136

UCA Counseling Center   (501) 450-3138

Victim Services    (501) 450-4928

Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts Domestic Violence Program
https://courts.arkansas.gov/administration/domestic-violence

Court Connect helps keeps victims informed of court proceedings and other pertinent information

Administrative Office of the Courts
CourtConnect Website

Resource Numbers:

Adult Abuse and Neglect  800-482-8049

Ambulance  501-327-5658

Area Agency on Aging  800-482-6359

Arkansas Workforce Center  501-354-9793

Arkansas State Police  501-618-8000

Child Abuse Hotline  800-482-5964

Child Support Enforcement  510-329-1721

Conway District Court  501-450-6112

Conway Regional Medical Center  501-450-2178

Counseling Associates   501-336-8300

Dept. of Community Correction  501-327-3256

Dept. of Human Services  501-730-9900

Emergencies 911

Legal  Aid  501-376.3423

Medicaid  501-450-4941

Public Defender’s Office 501-450-4975

Red Cross  501-329-3571

Sexual Assault Crisis Response 866-358-2265

Social Security Administration 800-772-1213

VINE Program 800-510-0415

Faulkner County 

Circuit Clerk 501-450-4911

County Clerk 501-450-4910

Health Dept. 501-450-4941

Prosecuting Attorney 501-450-4928

Hot Check Office 501-329-8730

Victim Services 501-450-3051

Sheriff’s Office 501-450-4914

FCSO Unit 2  501-328-4160

Police Departments

Conway  501-450-6120

Greenbrier 501-679-3105

Mayflower  501-470-1000

UCA  501-450-3111

Vilonia 501-796-8170