Victims of Crime, Have Rights Too?

The chances are good that the person sitting next to you may have been a victim of a crime. When most people think of victims of crimes, they think of violent crimes such as, rape, assault, robbery and murder. But the chances are throughout the course of a day you have encountered a person who has been a victim of a crime that is not physical in nature.

Not all crimes are crimes of violence. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), identity theft and financial schemes victimize millions of Americans each year. Millions of hard-earned dollars and life savings of victims line the pockets of scammers, who have no regard for their victims or the damage they've done to their lives. Because, far too many consumers become victims of get-rich-quick schemes, foreign lotteries, telemarketing fraud, internet scams and identity theft every day.

According to the Better Business Bureau, in a given year, 10 million Americans became victims of identity theft, with a staggering loss of over $50 Billion. Insurance frauds cost the average family $400-$700 per year in higher insurance premiums. And fraudsters in the multibillion dollar telemarketing industry target older Americans, with an estimated loss of over $500 million.

Victims often feel helpless in the aftermath of a crime. They feel alone and isolated by the crime and many are financially devastated. If you or someone you know does become a victim of a financial crime or any other type of crime, there are countless professionals and volunteers who stand ready to help cope with the consequences of the crime, to offer support, and to provide guidance that can help victims better understand their options.

The good news is that there are laws ready to protect victims. The National Center for Victims of Crime and The Federal Crime Victims' Bill of Rights was created to give victims a proper place in the criminal justice system, ensure they have the opportunity to be heard and provide assistance to further their recovery process. Most states also have victims' rights laws for cases handled in the local criminal justice system.

Additional resources:

Crime Victim & Witness Rights

Crime Victims' Bill of Rights

National Victim's Constitutional Amendment Passage

This article is a guideline and, as laws vary from state to state, it is not intended to be an all inclusive discussion of the law applicable to any action in your state. Please consult with a legal professional when appropriate.

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