Crime in Florida is not prevalent, but it is definitely not wiped out either. Being a victim of crime can be traumatizing and upsetting, and most victims cannot afford the post-crime formalities to make themselves secure. However, the Florida law has certain rules and guidelines that ensure fair treatment for victims, especially in terms of financial support.

If you (or someone you know) have been victimized by a crime in Florida, you need to know the following provisions allowed to the sufferers by Florida law. The victims or the survivors of the victims are given assistance, sympathetic support, and even financial aid via Florida’s Victim Compensation Program. These programs are now active in almost all other states, and also in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Long before these laws came into existence, victims had no right to receive compensation of any form unless they took help via a lawsuit. Today, victims (or survivors of victims) of crimes like homicide, assault, rape, murder etc. receive help in the form of emotional and financial support, and security.

Lawyers are also required in specific cases; for example, if you (or someone related to you) live near West Palm Beach and suffered a major injury, you will require someone who can handle legal issues like a West Palm Beach injury lawyer to help you navigate your way through the  lawsuit.

Almost all states including Florida give the victim: a right to be notified regarding all law and order proceedings/court hearings, to be kept safe from any further harm from the alleged criminal, to give a victim impact statement (to make their point clear), and the right to be clearly informed about any action taken regarding the criminal. Moreover, victims get a right to receive an order of restitution from the alleged criminal.

A victim of crime holds the right to be notified about all of his rights by a reliable source, so he/she can benefit from these assistance programs.

Florida Crime Victim Compensation

The main tool for helping victims is the Florida Crime Victim Compensation, which is a program to help victims receive financial assistance. The program requires the victim to file an application, preferably assisted by a victim advocate.

Any person who has been a victim of a personal injury, or is the survivor of someone who was killed in a criminal act, qualifies for the Florida Crime Victim Compensation. The crime has to be punishable under the state laws for the compensation to be valid. It may include offenses like Driving Under the Influence.

To be eligible for the compensation, it is necessary that the victim suffered any psychological or physical injury due to the criminal offence. Secondly, the crime report should be presented at a law enforcement office within three days; however, the crime may be reported late in exceptional cases.

The victim must file the claim within one year of the offensive act; this may drag on to two years, provided there was a valid reason. The victim applying for the compensation should be uninvolved from any illegal activity at that time, and also should have not provoked the crime in any way.

A property law imbursement is also given under the Florida Crime Victim Compensation Act to victims who are senior/disabled adults, and have suffered any property loss due to the illegal act aimed towards them.

Immediate assistance is given in terms of security and healthcare to the victim. In unexceptional cases, the maximum amount of compensation goes up to $ 25,000.