Victim's Assistance

With the enactment of the Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights in 1995, individuals impacted by violent crime are afforded specific services to enable them to take steps toward restoration. Through the district attorney offices in each of the 49 Georgia judicial circuits and the solicitor-general offices in 27 of the 159 counties, victim-witness personnel are mandated and available to guide these individuals through what can be a confusing, complicated judicial process. For information about the program in Richmond County, contact the Victim Assistance Program at the District Attorney's Office, 735 James Brown Blvd Augusta, Georgia 30901. Call 706- 821-1135 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Victim-witness personnel assist with obtaining appropriate restitution and compensation through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. They also make referrals to professional and other community resources and provide notification of a variety of court proceedings. Each judicial circuit and county has unique needs, resources and services. The office of the district attorney or solicitor-general for each circuit or county can provide you with more information for areas they cover.

The Georgia Crime Victims’ Bill of Rightsgives individuals who are victims of crime certain specific rights under the law.  Victims have the right to be notified of:

• Arrest of the accused
• Availability of victim service programs
• Availability of compensation for victims of violent crime
• Any court hearings where release of the accused will be considered
• Release of the accused
• Court proceedings during prosecution of the case
• Motion for new trial or appeal dates
• Parole or change of status of the defendant, if you request this in writing

You Have the Right to:

• Express your opinion on the release of the accused pending court proceedings
• Express your views on the outcome of the case prior to plea negotiations or sentencing of the accused
• Complete a Victim Impact Statement

If You Need Protection

If you are threatened or intimidated by the offender, please immediately contact the Sheriff's Office to make a report. For immediate assistance, dial 911. To be notified of various proceedings, you must provide law enforcement with your address and home and work telephone numbers (not pagers or cellular telephones). If your phone number changes from the number you first gave the police, you must notify the Victim Assistance Program, Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office and/or the State Court Solicitor's Office. If there is an arrest, you can be informed of criminal proceedings. If the defendant (accused) is convicted and sent to prison and you want to be notified of parole or want to express your opinions prior to a parole decision, you must contact the Board of Pardons and Parole in Atlanta. Also, if the defendant is sentenced to prison and you want to know of any change in his/her status while in prison (such as furlough, work release, escape), contact the Department of Corrections in Atlanta. The Victim Assistance Program can assist you with any of this communication.

Financial Compensation

If you are the victim of a violent (not Property) crime, you may be eligible for victim compensation. You must file a completed application within 180 days after the date of the crime. There does not have to be an arrest in order to apply. Compensation can help with your out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance, Medicaid, Worker's Compensation, etc. Eligible expenses include medical, counseling, funeral and lost wages. The Victim Assistance Program has compensation applications and can help you apply. Many defendants (accused) are released on bond from jail before disposition of their case. Bond is guaranteed by the U.S. and Georgia Constitutions, except in certain cases. Bond is money or property put up to ensure the defendant's appearance in court. The Judge considers several issues in determining the bond amount of the accused: the possibility of fleeing, the threat or danger to the community, the risk of committing another crime, and the possibility of threatening witnesses.

Many defendants will be immediately released because the amount of bond is pre-set. The defendant gets a bonding company or an individual to provide a cash or property bond. This may be done within hours of the defendant's being arrested. If the defendant has not made bond within 72 hours, most will appear before a Judge. At that time, a bond may be set and the defendant may be released. Usually, victims do not attend these first appearance hearings and will not be notified of them since they are routine in most cases. An exception occurs where the law requires that victims be notified before bond is set. It is the policy of most Judges to restrain defendants in domestic violence from having contact with alleged victims. There are certain serious crimes in which a bond can only be set by a Superior Court Judge. These hearings are usually at a later time after notice to the District Attorney's Office. The Victim Assistance Program will attempt to notify you prior to these bond hearings. If the accused is a juvenile (under 17), the proceedings are different. Call Richmond County Juvenile Court at 706-821-1185.

The Victim Assistance Program in the Augusta Judicial Circuit District Attorney's Office can inform you of your rights, assist you with any questions you may have or refer you to the appropriate agency for help. The hours are 9 a..m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The services are free.

• VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM / DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE- 706- 821-1135 
• RAPE CRISIS - 706-724-5200
•  SAFE HOMES OF AUGUSTA, INC.  - (a shelter for abused women & their children) - 706-736-2499
• RICHMOND  COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE - 706-821-1080 OR 911
• RICHMOND COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DETENTION CENTER - 706-821-1110
• DEPT. OF FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES - 706-721-7140
•  DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS - VICTIM'S SERVICES - 404-651-6994
• PARDONS AND PAROLES - VICTIM'S SERVICES - 404-651-6668