Victim Assistance

Domestic Violence Brochure (Spanish)
Victim Assistance Information Brochure
State Automated Victim’s Assistance Network (SAVAN)
Daymark Recovery Services
Turning Point

Initial Assistance: When victim/witness assistance is needed when neither a patrol officer nor an investigator is available, the following services are available:

  • A 24-hour number is available for victims/witnesses of crime.  The number is manned 24 hours a day.  The number is (704) 282-4700.  If it is an emergency, the victim/witness will be instructed to call 911.  Dispatchers have been provided a resource list of social service agencies within our service area capable of meeting victim/witness needs.

  • Victims/witnesses in need of medical attention will be instructed to call 911.  Union County Communications has been provided with a resource list of available services within our service area.  The list includes medical assistance, counseling, and emergency financial assistance information.

  • Pamphlets have been developed and provided throughout the department for dissemination on the Monroe Police Department website and by personnel who come in contact with victims/witnesses of crimes.  They provide the 24-hour phone number, emergency contact numbers, services available through the program, and other phone numbers for the more commonly used services by victims/witnesses of crime.

Purpose: To ensure that victims and witnesses receive professional handling consistent with their important investigative and prosecutory role.
State Law 15A-831 (Effective July 1, 1999)

Responsibilities of Law Enforcement Agency

  • As soon as practicable but within 72 hours after identifying a victim covered by this Article, the investigating law enforcement agency shall provide the victim with the following information.

  1. The availability of medical services, if needed.

  2. The availability of crime victims compensation funds under Chapter 15B of the General Statues and the addresses and telephone numbers of the agency responsible for dispensing the funds.

  3. The addresses and telephone number of the district attorney’s office that will be responsible for prosecuting the victim’s case.

  4. Information about an accused’s opportunity for pretrial release.

  5. The names and telephone number of an investigating law enforcement agency employee whom the victim may contact to find out whether the accused has been released from custody.

  • As soon as practical but within 72 hours after arrest of a person believed to have committed a crime covered by this article, the arresting law enforcement agency shall inform the investigating law enforcement agency of the arrest. As soon as practicable but within 72 hours of being notified of the arrest, the investigating law enforcement agency shall notify the victim of the arrest.

  • As soon as practicable but within 72 hours after receiving notification from the arresting law enforcement agency that the accused has been arrested, the investigating law enforcement agency shall forward to the district attorney’s office that will be responsible for prosecuting the case the victim’s name, address, date of birth, social security number, race, sex, and telephone number, unless the victim refuses to disclose any or all of the information, in which case, the investigating law enforcement agency shall inform the district attorney’s office.

  • Upon receiving the information in subsection (a) of this section, the victims shall on a form provided by the investigating law enforcement agency indicate whether the victim wishes to receive any further notices from the investigating law enforcement agency. If the victim elects to receive further notices, the victim shall be responsible for notifying the investigating law enforcement agency of any changes in the victim’s name, address, and telephone number. (1998-212,s.19.4(c).

CRIME VICTIM’S RIGHTS ACT
15A-830. Definitions.

  • The following definitions apply in this article:

  1. Accused-A person who has been arrested and charged with committing a crime covered by this Article.

  2. Arresting law enforcement agency-The law enforcement agency that makes the arrest of an accused.

  3. Custodial agency-The agency that has legal custody of an accused or defendant arising from a charge or conviction of a crime covered by this Article including, but not limited to, local jails or detention facilities, regional jails or detention facilities, or the Department of Correction.

  4. Investigating law enforcement agency-The law enforcement agency with primary responsibility for investigating the crime committed against the victim.

  5. Law enforcement agency-An arresting law enforcement agency, a custodial agency, or an investigating law enforcement agency.

  6. Next of kin-The victim’s spouse, children, parent’s, sibling’s, or grandparent’s. The term does not include the accused unless the charges are dismissed or the person is found not guilty.

  7. Victim-A person against whom there is probable cause to believe one of the following crime was committed:

  • A Class A, B1, B2, C, D, or E felony.

  • A Class F felony if it is a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-16.6(b); 14-16.6(c); 14-18;14-32.1(e); 14-32.2(b)(3); 14- 32.3(a); 14-32.4; 14-34.2; 14-34.6(c); 14-41; 14-42.2; 14-43.3; 14-190.17; 14-190.19; 14-202.1; 14-288.9; or 20-138.5

  • A Class G felony if it is a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-32.3(b); 14-51; 14-58; 14-87.1; or 20-141.4.

  • A Class H felony if it is a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-32.3(a); 14-32.3(c); or 14-33.2

  • A Class I felony if it is a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-277.3; 14-32.3(b); 14-34.6(b); or 14-190.17A.

  • An attempt of any of the felonies listed in this subdivision if the attempted felony is punishable as a felony.

  • Any of the following misdemeanor offenses when the offense is committed between persons who have a personal relationship as defined in G.S. 50B-1(b): G.S.14-33(c) (1); 14-33(c) (2); 14-33(a); 14-34; 14-134.3; or 14-277.3.

  1. If the victim is deceased, then the next of kin, in the order set forth in the definition contained in this section, is entitled to the victim’s rights under this Article. However, the right contained in G.S. 15A-834 may only be exercised by the personal representative of the victim’s estate. An individual entitled to exercise the victim’s rights as a member of the class of next of kin may designate anyone in the class to act on behalf of the class. (1998-212, s.19.4(c)