I am a victim or witness and I received a subpoena, what should I do?
If the subpoena is from the District Attorney’s call the telephone number on the subpoena. The subpoena is good for the entire trial term, which could be as long as three weeks. Many cases are listed for the same date. Once it is determined which case will be tried on each date and in what order, you will be given a date and time to be in the Courthouse. Or, you may be told that the defendant has decided to plead guilty and you will not be needed. It is important that the District Attorney’s Office have a day and evening phone number to contact you. If you are needed for court, you will receive instructions regarding the parking garage. Make sure you bring your parking ticket in with you so that it can be properly stamped so that you not have to pay for you parking. You should be dressed appropriately for court. No shorts or tank tops or other similar clothing is allowed in the courtrooms.
If the subpoena is from the District Justice Office then you must appear at the District Justice Office on the date and time stated. If you have any questions, you should contact the police department who arrested the defendant.
Return to Top
I am a victim or witness and I want to know when my case is scheduled.
Please call the victim/witness unit of the District Attorney’s Office at 610-344-6845 or 610-344-6844. You may also ask for the name of the Assistant District Attorney handling your case. Your feelings or comments about the case are important to us. Please do not hesitate to contact the Assistant District Attorney handling your case.
Return to Top
I am a victim of a sexual assault, what should I do?
Contact the police department where the sexual assault took place or contact the rape hotline at 610-692-7273 to speak with a counselor. Do not take a shower and leave everything as is for the police.
{Blue Bullet} Directory of Local Police Departments
Return to Top
I am a victim of domestic violence, what should I do?
A woman who is in an abusive situation has several courses of action available to her. If there has been recent abuse, she should go to the local police department where the abuse has been occurring and speak with an officer. The officer can then make a decision whether any criminal action can be taken.
In addition, a victim can contact the Crime Victims Center of Chester County to learn about available counseling options and services. The telephone number is 610-692-7420.
The Domestic Violence Center of Chester County provides services including emergency and transitional shelter and legal representation at Protection From Abuse (PFA) Hearings.
Click PFA for information on obtaining a Protection From Abuse Order.
{Blue Bullet} Directory of Local Police Departments
Return to Top
I have information that a child is being physically or sexually abused, what should I do?
If you believe a child has been physically or sexually abused, you should contact your local police department or call any of the following numbers:
- Child Abuse Hotline: 800-932-0313
- Chester County Detectives: 610-344-6866
- Chester County Department of Children Youth & Families: 610-344-5800
- Chester County District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Unit: 610-344-6601
- Crime Victim’s Center: 610-692-7273
Return to Top
I have information on a crime what should I do?
Contact the police department where the crime occurred or the Chester County Detectives at 610-344-6866. All information is important.
{Blue Bullet} Directory of Local Police Departments
Return to Top
Restitution was ordered in court, when do I receive it?
The Chester County Adult Probation Department is responsible for overseeing that the defendant pays the restitution ordered. A defendant is not expected to pay restitution during the time he/she is incarcerated. You may visit the Adult Probation website or contact them at 610-344-6290.
Return to Top
Tell me more about the Crime Victim’s Center
The Crime Victims Center of Chester County is located on Market Street in West Chester. A victim counselor will accompany a victim or witness to all court or medical appointment for support. It doesn’t matter what kind of crime. The Crime Victim’s Center also provides free individual and group counseling for victims. It gives victims a chance to talk to others that are experiencing the same feelings about being a victim. All the services provided by the Crime Victim’s Center are free and confidential. The Crime Victim’s Center works closely with the District Attorney’s Office to assure that the needs and rights of the victim are met. Remember, it’s free and confidential so if you are a victim, give them a call at 610-692-7420. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.
{Blue Bullet} Click here for more information
Return to Top
Victim’s Bill of Rights – Crime Victims Act 18 Pa.C.S. §11.201
Victims of crime have the following rights:
- To receive basic information concerning the services available for victims of crime;
- To be notified of certain significant actions and proceedings within the criminal and juvenile justice systems pertaining to their case. This paragraph includes all of the following:
- Access to information regarding whether the juvenile was detained or released following arrest and whether a petition alleging delinquency has been filed.
- Immediate notification of a juvenile’s subsequent apprehension.
- Access to information regarding the grant or denial of bail to an adult.
- Immediate notification of an adult offender’s pretrial escape from a local correctional facility and of the offender’s subsequent apprehension.
- To be accompanied at all criminal and all juvenile proceedings in accordance with 42 Pa.C.S. §6336 (relating to conduct of hearings) by a family member, a victim advocate or other person providing assistance or support.
- In cases involving a personal injury crime or burglary, to submit prior comment to the prosecutor’s office or juvenile probation office, as appropriate to the circumstances of the case, on the potential reduction or dropping of any charge or changing of a plea in a criminal or delinquency proceeding or diversion of any case, including an informal adjustment or consent decree.
- To have opportunity to offer prior comment on the sentencing of a defendant or the disposition of a delinquent child, to include the submission of a written and oral victim impact statement detailing the physical, psychological and economic effects of the crime on the victim and the victim’s family. The written statement shall be included in any predisposition or pre-sentence report submitted to the court. Victim impact statements shall be considered by a court when determining the disposition of a juvenile or sentence of an adult.
| 5.1 |
To have notice and to provide prior comment on a judicial recommendation that the defendant participate in a motivational boot camp pursuant to the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L. 1391, No.215), known as the Motivational Boot Camp Act. |
| 5.2 |
Upon request of the victim of a personal injury crime, to have the opportunity to submit written comment or present oral testimony at a disposition review hearing, which comment or testimony shall be considered by the court when reviewing the disposition of the juvenile. |
- To be restored, to the extent possible, to the pre-crime economic status through he provision of restitution, compensation and the expeditious return of property which is seized as evidence in the case when in the judgment of the prosecutor the evidence is no longer needed for prosecution of the case.
- In personal injury crimes where the adult is sentenced to a State correctional facility, to be:
- given the opportunity to provide prior comment on and receive State post-sentencing release decision, including work release, furlough, parole, pardon or community treatment center placement; and
- provide immediate notice of an escape of the adult and of subsequent apprehension; and
- given the opportunity to receive notice of and to provide prior comment on a recommendation sought by the Department of Corrections that the offender participate in a motivational boot camp pursuant to the Motivational Boot Camp Act.
- In personal injury crimes where the adult is sentenced to a local correctional facility, to :
- receive notice of the date of the release of the adult, including work release, furlough, parole, release from a boot camp or community treatment center placement; and
- be provided with immediate notice of an escape of the adult and of subsequent apprehension.
| 8.1 |
If, upon the request of the victim of a personal injury crime committed by a juvenile, the juvenile is ordered to residential placement, a shelter facility or a detention center, to: |
| |
- receive prior notice of the date of the release of the juvenile, including temporary leave or home pass;
- be provided with:
- immediate notice of an escape of the juvenile, including failure to return from temporary leave or home pass; and
- immediate notice of re-apprehension of the juvenile.
- be provided with notice of transfer of a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent from a placement facility that is contrary to a previous court order or placement plan approved at a disposition review hearing and to have the opportunity to express a written objection prior to the release or transfer of the juvenile.
|
- If the adult is subject to an order under 23 Ps.C.S. Ch 61 (relating to protection from abuse) and is committed to a local correctional facility for a violation of the order or for a personal injury crime against a victim protected by the order, to receive immediate notice of the release of the adult on bail.
- To receive notice if an adult is committed to a mental health facility from a State correctional institution and notice of the discharge, transfer or escape of the adult from the mental health facility.
- To have assistance in the preparation of, submission of and follow-up on financial assistance claims to the bureau.
- To be notified of the details of the final disposition of the case of a juvenile consistent with 42 Pa.C.S. § 6336(f) (relating to conduct of hearings)
- Upon the request of the victim of a personal injury crime, to be notified of the termination of the courts’ jurisdiction.
Return to Top
