• To be treated with dignity and respect.
• To be assisted by criminal justice agencies.
• To be free from intimidation.
• To be informed about the criminal justice system.
• Whenever practicable, to be notified of plea agreements, and the right to comment on them..
• Whenever practicable, to be notified of all judicial proceedings, including time and place of trial..
• To have input at sentencing.
• To request restitution.

• To request compensation from the Victim compensation Board for unreimbursed medical and medically-related expenses for victims of violent crime.
• To be notified of an offender's release from institutional confinement in all felony cases.
• To be provided with a pamphlet containing certain statutes which pertain to victim's rights.

Victims' of a Violent Crime Financial Help

Who is Eligible to Apply?

• Victims of violent crimes (including OUI) occurring in Maine
• Dependents and family members of homicide victims
• Any person responsible for the funeral expenses of a homicide victim

What are the Requirements?

• The crime must have occurred on or after January 1, 1993.
• Unless the crime is a sexual assault, the victim must have suffered some bodily injury or a psychological injury resulting from a threat of bodily injury from the crime.
• The crime must have been reported to the police within five days unless the victim is a minor or there is good cause for delay.
• The claimant must cooperate with the reasonable requests of law enforcement officials in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.

• The claimant must apply for compensation within one year of injury or crime related loss, unless the victim is a minor or there is good cause for late filing.

What Expenses are Covered?
To the extent insurance or other funds do not cover crime related expenses, the claimant may be reimbursed for:

• Medical and dental charges (including equipment, supplies and medications) limited to 75% of actual charges.
• Counseling expenses (for victims, for family and household members of homicide victims and child sexual assault victims, and for family and household members of the victim who witness the crime).
• Funeral/ burial costs up to $4,500, costs of a marker up to $500.
• Lost wages (for victims only).
• Loss of financial support (for dependents of homicide victims).
• Crime scene cleaning costs (bio-matter).
• Expenses NOT covered: property losses, compensation for pain and suffering, and other losses not medically related.

How to Apply

Write or call for an application to the Victims Compensation Board, Department of the Attorney General, 6 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04330-0006 (207) 624-7882 or 1 (800) 903-7882 (Victims only, please)
You also may obtain a Victims' Compensation application by contacting the Victim Witness Program in the office of your local District Attorney or one of a number of statewide victim services programs. Click here for a list.

For more information, please visit the Attorney General's website.