What is Victim Services?
It is important that you understand and are aware of your rights when involved in the criminal justice system. The District Attorney’s Office is committed to guiding you through this process by providing you with information and offering the assistance of our victim service coordinators. We are the liaison between you and the attorneys. We will try our best to direct you to all the appropriate services available to you. We are here to help you with:
- Court accompaniment
- Restitution
- Referrals
- Victim Impact Statements
- More
Our victim service coordinators will protect the confidentiality of all information except when disclosure is required by law or by policy of the District Attorney’s Office.
Victim Services Contacts
Victim Services Coordinator
Iliana Neve
610-829-6655
Asst. Victim Services Coordinator
RG Lovvorn
610-829-6645
Explore Victims’ Services
Victim Restitution
Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP)
Crime Victims Council (CVC)
Turning Point of Lehigh Valley
Hotlines
Forms & Victims' Rights
Protection From Abuse (PFA) Orders
Victims' Support Groups
Guidelines for Victim Impact Statement
The victim impact statement is important in helping the Judge to understand how the crime has affected your life. Below are some guidelines to follow when writing your statement. If you have any further questions, please contact the Victim Services Coordinator, Iliana Neve, at (610)-829-6655 or ineve@norcopa.gov.
1. Before writing your statement, make sure all previous paperwork has been properly filled out and sent to the District Attorney’s Office.
This includes the Victim Restitution Form (purple sheet) and photocopies of any bills/estimates (see Restitution Checklist for further details). Also, it is advised that you contact the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley (610)-437-6610 to discuss eligibility and to help you file a compensation claim with the Crime Victims Compensation Board of Pennsylvania.
1. Before writing your statement, make sure all previous paperwork has been properly filled out and sent to the District Attorney’s Office.
This includes the Victim Restitution Form (purple sheet) and photocopies of any bills/estimates (see Restitution Checklist for further details). Also, it is advised that you contact the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley (610)-437-6610 to discuss eligibility and to help you file a compensation claim with the Crime Victims Compensation Board of Pennsylvania.
2. This statement may be read to the Judge or handed to them to read prior to sentencing
You should address the statement to “Your Honor” and make sure it is signed and dated. The statement can be typed or neatly handwritten. If you are not comfortable reading this statement, you may ask someone else to do so. The offender will be present. Feel free to write as much or as little as you would like.
3. The Judge will know the basic facts of the case.
Therefore, start your statement with brief but specific details of the crime. What happened during the crime? Was a weapon used? If so, what type of weapon was it, and how was it used? Was there excessive violence?
4. Consider these further questions as you are writing.
How has your life been impacted by this crime? How have your loved ones’ lives been affected by this crime? If you or your family were physically injured, describe your treatment and recovery process. Do you live with any physical limitations? If so, please describe. Can you describe the emotional aftermath of the crime? Do you have any financial losses (including counseling and medical expenses, moving expenses, lost work, etc)?
5. As you conclude your statement, consider these questions.
What kind of punishment would you like to see the offender receive? If you want the offender to go to prison, how long? Do you have any requests for the Court to order the offender to do while in prison and/or parole (for example: Drug & Alcohol counseling, counseling, no contact, restitution, community service)?