In legislation that was signed into law by Governor Zell Miller, effective July 1, 1995, you have been afforded certain rights as the victim of a particular crime(s), which you are entitled to exercise during the processing of your case through the criminal justice system.
- You should know that when the accused offender is arrested they might be released on bond prior to their trial. When it is possible, you will be notified prior to a bond hearing, as it may occur soon after arrest.
- You have the right to victim compensation as provided for by law.
- There are some community based victim service programs available to you.
You have the right to be notified when the accused offender is arrested and released. Accordingly, you must provide the law enforcement agency or court officials with a current telephone number where you can be reach. This may include a number for an answering machine. Notify us of any telephone numbers that change.
If you wish to exercise this right, you must state so to the law enforcement officer or court official with whom you have contact about this case. They will have a brief form for you to complete in order to receive your notification. Upon receiving your request for notification, efforts will be made to inform you when the alleged offender is:
- Arrested;
- Released; or
- Scheduled for any judicial proceeding where the accused’s release will be considered, though time may not always permit notification regarding bond hearings.
If you are the adult victim of rape or forcible sodomy, you have certain rights under the law. Rape or forcible sodomy by a stranger or a person known to you, including rape or forcible sodomy by a person married to you, is a crime. You can ask the government’s lawyer to prosecute a person who has committed this crime. The government pays for the cost of prosecuting for crimes.
If you are the victim of rape or forcible sodomy, you should contact a local police department or other law enforcement agency immediately. A police officer will come to take a report and collect evidence. You should keep any clothing you were wearing at the time of the crime as well as any other evidence such as bed sheets. Officers will take you to the hospital for a medical examination. You should not shower or douche before the examination. The law requires that the police department or law enforcement agency investigating the crime pay for the medical examination to the extent of the cost for the collection of evidence of the crime.
Additional Telephone Numbers You Should Know:
City of Atlanta
Jail | 404-865-8000
Court | 404-865-8100
Victim Assistance | 404-588-4740
Fulton County Sheriff’s Department
Jail – Arrest/Release | 404-853-2001
Warrants | 404-730-4752
Fulton County
Magistrate Court | 404-730-5045
District Attorney | 404-730-4980
Victim Assistance | 404-730-4986
Solicitor | 404-730-4800
Victim Assistance 404-730-6883
DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department
Jail | 404-298-5000
Warrants | 404-298-8200
DeKalb County
Magistrate Court | 404-294-2150
District Attorney | 404-371-2561
Victim Assistance | 404-371-2567
Solicitor | 404-371-2201
Victim Assistance | 404-371-2276
Criminal Justice Coordinating Council
Victim Compensation | 404-559-4949
TDD | 404-559-4177