Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney

"Victim" means:

(a) a person who has suffered physical, psychological or economic harm as a direct result of the commission of a felony, assault and battery, stalking, sexual battery, attempted sexual battery, maiming or driving while intoxicated;

(b) a spouse or child of such a person,

(c) a parent or legal guardian of such a person who is a minor,

(d) a spouse, parent, sibling or legal guardian of such a person who is physically or mentally incapacitated or was the victim of a homicide

Help is available for victims/witnesses of the following:

• Homicide

• Involuntary manslaughter

• Adult sexual assault

• Adults molested as children

• Child sexual and physical abuse

• Elder abuse

• Robbery

• Assault & Battery

• Malicious wounding

• Domestic violence

• Stalking

• Burglary

• Financial crimes/identity theft and fraud

The Virginia Victims Fund is a state program created to help victims of violent crime with out-of-pocket expenses. These can include medical bills, prescriptions, funeral costs, and many other expenses. The program is funded by fees collected from persons convicted of felonies and certain classes of misdemeanors. No tax dollars are used to support this fund. VVF is administered by the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission.

For more information about eligibility, benefits, or to download an application, visit the VVF website at www.virginiavictimsfund.org.

Once charges have been filed, either by a law enforcement officer or citizen by way of sworn citizen's criminal complaint, charges cannot be dropped.

If an officer has filed charges: -contact that police officer

If it is a citizen's complaint: - pick up a request for subpoena from the clerk or magistrate's office - fill out the name and address of the person to be served with the subpoena - return the request form to the appropriate clerk's office

You may access the Online Case Information System (https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis) to check or confirm the court date. This site also gives you a “subscribe” option if you would like to receive email or text message updates related to your case(s).

You may also contact the Victim Witness Office at 703-792-8220 or the appropriate clerk's office:

• Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court - 703-792-6160
• General District Court - 703-792-6141
• Circuit Court - 703-792-6025

To check custody status and register to be notified of release, visit www.vinelink.com. If a defendant is sentenced to serve more than twelve months in jail, you may visit the Department of Corrections Victim Notification Program at www.naavi.virginia.gov to register for notification services.

It is strongly recommended that you check at least one business day before your scheduled court date to verify your case is still set to avoid an unnecessary trip to court. 

You may access the Online Case Information System (https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/ocis) to check or confirm the court date. This site also gives you a “subscribe” option if you would like to receive email or text message updates related to your case(s).

You may also contact the Victim Witness Office at 703-792-8220 or the appropriate clerk's office:

• Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court - 703-792-6160
• General District Court - 703-792-6141
• Circuit Court - 703-792-6025

Contact the Victim Witness office at 703-792-8220 or send an email to [email protected] to request the services of an interpreter.

• Call the Victim Witness Office at 703-792-8220.  You may also send an email to [email protected].

• Collection and enforcement policies and procedures vary depending on the Court level and Judge's signed order.

The Victim Impact Statement form gives the victim or others affected by crime(s) the opportunity to express, in writing, the impact of this (these) crime(s). This may include any economic losses, the extent of any physical or psychological injuries, and any major life changes as a result of the crime(s).

A written pre-sentence report is prepared by a probation and parole officer to assist the judge in sentencing. This report focuses on the crime, the defendant's background, and any criminal history.

The Victim Impact Statement is included as part of the report and may be seen by the defendant. Because a copy of the Victim Impact Statement must be provided to the Commonwealth's Attorney or Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney (prosecutor) and the defense attorney, at least 10 days in advance of sentencing, you are required to return the form prior to the sentencing date. The due date will be listed on the form. If there is no date listed, contact the local victim/witness program or the prosecutor.

If the judge does not order a pre-sentence report, the prosecutor must, if the victim requests, submit a Victim Impact Statement to the Court and defense attorney prior to sentencing.

The Victim Impact Statement can also provide information useful in determining court-ordered restitution. It may also be used by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, which pays unreimbursed expenses of victims who suffer personal physical injury or death, as a result of a crime.

Although every effort will be made to collect any financial restitution ordered by the court, there are no guarantees of full payment. There are other options, such as contacting the victim/witness program, the probation and parole office, the prosecutor, and/or the clerk of court. Should all efforts fail to collect restitution, it may be advisable to discuss civil options with an attorney.

The information requested will assist in evaluating the effects of the crime(s). As part of the report, it may also be considered by institutional treatment personnel. Sections 19.2-264.4 and 19.2-295.3 of the Code of Virginia also allow crime victims, upon motion of the Commonwealth's Attorney, to testify at the sentencing hearing regarding the offense. Ask your Commonwealth's Attorney or victim/witness program staff for more information about this option.

General District Court

All misdemeanor trials, traffic offenses and preliminary hearings for felony charges

Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court

Cases involving minors in all misdemeanor trials, traffic offenses and preliminary hearings on felony charges. Any case involving persons related by blood or marriage, any couple with child in common, or any couple who have cohabited with one another within the last 12 months.

Circuit Court

Trial court for all felony cases and misdemeanor appeals.

The County Attorney's Office provides counsel and advice in all civil matters to the Board of County Supervisors and all boards, commissions, departments, agencies, offices and officials of the general County government; drafts and prepares County ordinances and legislative proposals; defends and brings actions in which the County or any of its boards, commissions, etc., shall be a party; and in other matters, advises and represents the general County government The County Attorney is located in the McCoart Building, 1 County Complex Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192, phone: 703-792-6620, FAX: 703-792-6633.

The Commonwealth's Attorneys Office prosecutes all criminal and traffic cases occurring within Prince William County, and all felonies committed in the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park. The Commonwealth's Attorneys Office does not investigate criminal offenses, if you feel you are a victim of a crime please contact your local police department. The Commonwealth's Attorneys Office is located in the Judicial Center, 9311 Lee Avenue, Suite 200, Manassas, VA 20110, 703-792-6050 FAX: 703-792-7081.

There are no provisions by the Commonwealth of Virginia to reimburse for lost wages. However, you may be able to request mileage reimbursement. Contact the Victim Witness Office at 703-792-8220, for information and process for this request.

Contact the Victim Witness Office at 703-792-8220 or [email protected] to speak with a staff member about having a Confidentiality Request Form filed on your behalf.