U.S. Department
of Justice
Victim Witness Assistance
The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky is committed to ensuring that federal crime victims are afforded all rights and services to which they are entitled by law and they are treated with fairness and respect throughout the federal criminal justice system.
When a federal criminal case reaches the prosecution stage of the criminal justice process, notification services are provided concerning the status of the case involving the victim. Victims are notified of all case events through the Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS) . Our Victim Assistance personnel provide guidance and assistance to victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process.
Helena Auberry is the Victim Witness Coordinator and questions may be directed to her and others in the Victim Witness Unit at usakyw.vwu@usdoj.gov.
Resources for Victims of Crime
USDOJ: Office of the Victims' Rights Ombudsman
https://www.justice.gov/usao/resources/crime-victims-rights-ombudsman
USDOJ: Find Help and Information for Crime Victims
https://www.justice.gov/action-center/find-help-and-information-crime-victims
USDOJ: Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator
https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/
Office on Violence Against Women (OVW)
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/sexual-assault
Office for Victims of Crime
www.ojp.usdoj/ovc
National Center for Victims of Crime
https://www.victimconnect.org
1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846)
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com
(800) 843-5678
Federal Trade Commission
www.ftc.gov
National Fraud Information Center
www.fraud.org
(800) 876-7060
Identity Theft
www.identitytheft.gov
National Foundation for Credit Counseling
www.nfcc.org
(800) 388-2227
Kentucky Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund
https://www.kyjustice.org/topics/victims-crime/kentucky-crime-victims-compensation-fund
Witnesses
If you are required to testify as a witness in a trial or other proceeding, you will receive a subpoena telling you when and where you will need to appear. A subpoena is a formal court order so there are serious penalties for disobeying it. If you know in advance that something might keep you from attending a required court appearance, contact our office immediately so that an attempt may be made to adjust the schedule. However, scheduling is at the discretion of the court and sometimes cannot be changed. If you have any questions or need assistance regarding your travel to Court, please contact the Victim-Witness Unit immediately. Additional information for witnesses can be found here .
Contact Information
United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Kentucky
Attn: Victim-Witness Unit
717 W Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
(502)582-5911
email: usakyw.vwu@usdoj.gov
Information on Large Victim Cases
General Information/Frequently Asked Questions for Witnesses
Federal Courthouses are located in four different cities in the Western District of Kentucky. The main U.S. Attorney's Office is located in Louisville, KY.
Louisville
717 West Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202
Bowling Green
241 Eat Main Street
Bowling Green, KY
Owensboro
423 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
Paducah
501 Broadway
Paducah, KY 42001
Your subpoena will indicate where and when the court proceeding will take place. Cellphones are NOT allowed in the Bowling Green, Owensboro, or Paducah courthouses. PLEASE NOTE: Witnesses are not allowed to enter the courtroom until they are called upon to testify. Therefore, it is important that you outside the courtroom until it is time for you to testify.
There are public parking lots and meters adjacent to each of the courthouses. You will be reimbursed for parking expenses, but we recommend you park in the parking lots. We WILL NOT reimburse you for any parking tickets you may receive.
You will receive $40.00 for each day you are required to be in court or attend a pretrial conference, including travel days. YOU WILL NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR LOST WAGES. If you live outside the city where the courthouse is located, you will be reimbursed for mileage if you drive to court. If you are required to stay overnight, the U.S. Attorney's Office will arrange airline and hotel arrangements for you. If you choose to drive rather than fly, you will be reimbursed for the least expensive mode of transportation.
If you fail to appear, you may be cited for contempt of court. An arrest warrant could be issued.
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, plea, 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.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky 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 require providing information that may endanger the safety of any person.