Victim Assistance

Anyone who suffers as a result of criminal activity is considered a victim, regardless of the seriousness of the case.

If you are a victim of a crime and need assistance, please contact one of our victim’s advocates at (812) 897-6199.

Cheryl Chodkiewicz – Director of Victim Assistance & Felony Victim Advocate

Tracie Green – Misdemeanor Victim Advocate

Services We Provide to Victims

• Each victim is kept informed of the upcoming court dates and potential plea offers.
• The advocate can assist a victim who is seeking restitution for damages incurred.
• We can help victims prepare for upcoming depositions and/or trial appearances.
• The advocate can help victims fill out the necessary paperwork required to file for a Protective Order with the Court.
• The advocate is also available to meet with victims, whether in the office, in court, at the police or sheriff’s department, or even at the hospital, if necessary.
• We can refer the victim to available counseling or other resources.
• We can assist the victim in filling out an application for the Violent Crime Victim’s Fund.

Victim’s Rights

The decisions relating to the actual handling of a criminal case, including but not limited to whether to file charges, terms of a plea agreement offer, whether to offer a plea agreement at all, and whether to go to trial or dismiss a case, are ultimately left to the prosecuting attorney. However, all of those decisions are made with respect for the following victim’s rights.

1. A victim has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect; and free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse; throughout the criminal justice process.
   
2. A victim has the right to be informed, upon request, when a person who is accused of committing or convicted of committing a crime perpetrated directly against the victim, is released from custody, or has escaped. This includes release or escape from mental health facilities.
   
3. A victim has the right to confer with a representative of the prosecuting attorney’s office after the crime allegedly committed against the victim has been charged; before the trial of a crime allegedly committed against the victim; and before any disposition of a criminal case involving the victim. This right applies in any of the following situations:
   The alleged felony was directly committed against the victim; or; The alleged felony or misdemeanor was an offense against the person, which includes the crimes of Battery, Domestic Battery, Aggravated Battery, Battery By Bodily Waste, Criminal Recklessness, Intimidation, Harassment, Invasion of Privacy, or Pointing a Firearm, and the alleged felony or misdemeanor was committed against the victim by a person who
   • Is or was a spouse of the victim,
   • Is or was living as if a spouse of the victim, or
   • Has a child in common with the victim.
     • For other misdemeanors, a victim must file a request for notice, which includes a current telephone number and address.
       
4. A victim has the right to have the victim’s safety considered in determining release from custody of a person accused of committing a crime against the victim.
   
5. A victim has the right to be heard at any proceeding involving sentencing, a post-conviction release decision, or a pre-conviction release decision under a forensic diversion program.
   
6. A victim has the right to make a written or oral statement for use in preparation of the pre-sentence report. The victim also has the right to read pre-sentence reports relating to the crime committed against the victim in order that the victim can respond to the pre-sentence report.
   
7. A victim has the right to pursue an order of restitution and other civil remedies against the person convicted of a crime against the victim.
   
8. A victim has the right to information, upon request, about the disposition of the criminal case involving the victim or the conviction, sentence, and release of a person accused of committing a crime against the victim.
   
9. A victim has the right to be informed of the victim’s constitutional and statutory rights.

Victims of Sexual Assault

On July 1, 2020 Indiana enacted a new law outlining specific rights belonging to victims of sexual assault. Those rights are detailed in the brochure below.

Additional Resources

If you wish to have a case dismissed involving domestic violence, please review the following information regarding the CHOICES class at Albion:

Getting a Protective Order: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2352.htm

Albion: https://www.albionfellowsbacon.org/

Holly’s House: https://www.hollyshouse.org/