U.S. Department
of Justice
Victim Witness Assistance
The Mission
The mission of the Victim Witness Program for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana is to provide information and resources to federal crime victims, and assist federal prosecutors with trial preparation by working closely with federal witnesses. Some of those services include notification of significant court events, referral to appropriate support services, reasonable protection from the accused, help determining and requesting restitution, and the return of property and information concerning the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender. Witnesses are offered support through trial, preparation of travel arrangement, and special services, as appropriate.
Who We Are
Law Enforcement/Victim Witness Coordinator
United States Attorney’s Office Great Falls, MT
(888) 326-2894, toll free
Victim Witness Specialist
United States Attorney’s Office Billings, MT
(800)-291-6108, toll free
What We Do
The Victim Witness Staff provides support, services, and information to victims and witnesses of crime. Victims of crime will receive:
- information and support in obtaining necessary services
- notice of upcoming court hearings and the outcome of those hearings
- notice of bail hearings and the opportunity to present concerns to the court
- assistance with travel and hotel arrangements, if necessary, when under subpoena
- the opportunity to confer with an attorney for the government, as appropriate
- information concerning protection from the accused
- information regarding submitting victim impact statements prior to sentencing
- assistance determining and requesting restitution
- information concerning the Crime Victim Compensation Fund • information concerning the conviction, sentence, and release of the defendant
Some of the services are accomplished by mail, phone, or e-mail. Notifications are received through the Victim Notification System (VNS). This automated system provides information concerning scheduled court events, sentencing information, federal facility designation and potential release dates of offenders. Victim of federal crime can receive this information by mail, through the automated phone system (1-866-DOJ-4YOU), e-mail, fax, phone, or on the Web, at www.notify.usdoj.gov.
As a crime victim, you have the following rights under 18 United States Code § 3771:
(1) The right to be reasonably protected from the accused;
(2) The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any public court proceeding, or any parole proceeding, involving the crime or of any release or escape of the accused;
(3) The right not to be excluded from any such public court proceeding, unless the court, after receiving clear and convincing evidence, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding;
(4) The right to be reasonably heard at any public proceeding in the district court involving release, please, sentencing, or any parole proceeding;
(5) The reasonable right to confer with the attorney for the Government in the case;
(6) The right to full and timely restitution as provided in law;
(7) The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;
(8) The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.
(9) The right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.
(10) The right to be informed of the rights under this section and the services described in section 503(c) of the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 10607(c)) and provided contact information for the Office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman of the Department of Justice.
We will make our best efforts to ensure you are accorded the rights described.
You also have the right to seek the advice of an attorney concerning these rights and your assertion of these rights in federal district court. Be advised that the law does not required providing information that may endanger the safety of any person.