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Portal What You Need to Know
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What you need to know about being a VICTIM OF CRIME:
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No one wants to be a victim of crime, and often the court system can seem confusing. It is normal to have questions and to need assistance understanding how the system works. The Prosecutor’s Office of Victim Witness Advocacy has advocates that can assist you with understanding the court system, your rights as a crime victim, and help you be connected to social services.
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What you need to know ABOUT COURT:
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YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO COURT UNLESS YOU RECEIVE A SUBPOENA IN THE MAIL.
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IT IS YOUR RIGHT AS A CRIME VICTIM TO BE INFORMED WHEN THE CASE IS SCHEDULED FOR COURT.
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IT IS COMMON FOR THE COURT TO SCHEDULE MULTIPLE STATUS CONFERENCES AND PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES.
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THE COURT SCHEDULES MOST OF THE CASES FOR 8:45AM. THE ACTUAL TIME THE CASE IS HEARD IS DETERMINED BY THE JUDGE.
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YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE NEXT COURT DATE BY THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE.
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COURT DATES CAN BE RESCHEDULED AT THE LAST MINUTE BY THE JUDGE.
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MOST OF OUR CASES DO NOT GO TO TRIAL BECAUSE THE DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY. IF THE DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY, YOU WILL NOT HAVE TO TESTIFY IN COURT.
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IF THE DEFENDANT DOES NOT PLEAD GUILTY, THE CASE WILL BE PLACED ON THE COURT TRIAL LIST.
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A TRIAL COULD TAKE UP TO TWO YEARS OR MORE FROM THE DATE OF THE CRIME TO OCCUR. YOU WOULD BE REQUIRED TO TESTIFY.
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THE LAW REQUIRES THE COURT TO CONSIDER THE DEFENDANT INNOCENT OF THE CRIME UNTIL THE DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY OR IS FOUND GUILTY IN TRIAL.
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YOU CAN ASK THE COURT TO ORDER THE DEFENDANT TO PAY RESTITUTION FOR YOUR UNINSURED LOSSES AND OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES BY COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING YOUR VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT WITHIN THE REQUESTED TIME FRAME.
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THE JUDGE WILL REVIEW YOUR VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT.
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YOU CAN SPEAK TO THE JUDGE AT SENTENCING ABOUT HOW THIS CRIME AFFECTED YOUR LIFE.
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PLEASE NOTIFY THIS OFFICE AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE COURT DATE IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING COURT SO WE CAN VERIFY THE COURT PROCEEDING IS STILL SCHEDULED.
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COURT IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
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What you need to know about THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE:
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THE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR IS THE ATTORNEY THAT WILL PROSECUTE THIS CASE.
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THE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR MAKES THE FINAL DECISION ON HOW A CASE IS RESOLVED.
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IT IS YOUR RIGHT AS A CRIME VICTIM TO INFORM THE ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR ABOUT HOW THIS CRIME HAS AFFECTED YOUR LIFE. YOU DO THIS BY SUBMITTING THE VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT.
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YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF SCHEDULED COURT PROCEEDINGS BY THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE.
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YOU MUST KEEP YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION UP-TO-DATE WITH THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE IF YOU WANT TO BE NOTIFED ABOUT THE CASE.
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YOU CAN CONSULT WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE ABOUT THE PLEA OFFER.
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IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR CASE, PLEASE CONTACT A VICTIM ADVOCATE AT 201-795-6508 DURING OFFICE HOURS (MON. - FRI., 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) AND/OR VIA EMAIL AT HudsonVW@hcpo.org FOR ASSISTANCE.
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What you need to know about the COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE OF VICTIM WITNESS ADVOCACY:
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A VICTIM ADVOCATE CAN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE CASE.
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IF YOU NEED A SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRAL OR A COUNSELING REFERRAL, PLEASE CONTACT A VICTIM ADVOCATE.
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UPON REQUEST, A VICTIM ADVOCATE CAN ATTEND COURT WITH YOU.
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TO REQUEST RESTITUTION FOR YOUR UNINSURED LOSSES AND OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT WITHIN THE TIME FRAME REQUESTED. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CONTACT A VICTIM ADVOCATE AT 201-795-6508 DURING OFFICE HOURS (MON. - FRI., 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM) AND/OR VIA EMAIL AT HudsonVW@hcpo.org.
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YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT ASSISTANCE FROM THE VICTIMS OF CRIME COMPENSATION OFFICE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK HERE: Inside NJ call (877) 658-2221; Outside of NJ call (973) 648-2107
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