Yes, all victims of the above crime types are eligible to receive services regardless of their language capability or legal status. The VSD has multilingual staff and a specialized Spanish speak unit. VSD staff also has access to telephonic and in person interpreters when needed to assist victims in their preferred language.

No, Victim Services Specialists are not sworn law enforcement officers. Our specialists are professional personnel that work alongside police officers and detectives to assist victims of crime through the criminal just process along with service engagement and referrals. Specialists are also not attorneys and cannot give out legal advice.

Yes, Virginia has the Virginia Victims Fund (VVF). The VVF is a state program created to help victims of violent crime with out of pocket expenses. These can include medical bills, prescriptions, funeral expenses, moving expenses, loss of support, loss of wages, crime scene clean up, counseling and many other expenses. VVF is funded by fines and fees collected from offenders. No tax dollars are used. While money can never erase the scars and painful memories of a crime, this program may ease some of the financial burdens faced by victims and their families. VVF is the payer of last resort. For more information please visit Virginia Victims Fund website at: http://virginiavictimsfund.org/

Restitution is compensation or repayment a crime victim can get for monetary losses due to a crime. Restitution is court ordered by a judge and limited to payments for damages or losses directly caused by a crime.

The judge will need information about your losses to determine the correct amount of court ordered restitution. It is important to keep a record of all expenses related to the crime, to include bills and/or receipts if you have them. Make sure you give this information either to your Victim Services Specialist or Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. It is your responsibility to provide copies of the bills or documents showing the extent of your injuries, out-of-pocket losses, and other damages you want the court to consider. This information should be received as soon as possible, and prior to the trial date.

Ultimately, the judge will determine what expenses will be considered and the amount of restitution to be awarded. The court may consider ordering restitution for medical/dental costs, reimbursement for an insurance deductible, funeral costs, lost or damaged property, stolen goods, and other out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the crime.

If the court determines that it is appropriate to order restitution, that order may include:

• Amount of restitution to be repaid by the defendant
• Date by which all restitution is to be paid
• Terms and conditions of such repayment

You may request a copy of the restitution order from the court clerk’s office for your records.

If you are seeking a protective order for a juvenile or against a family member, you will need to petition the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (JDR) for a protective order Please see the below information from JDR court services:

“Call Domestic Relations as soon as possible for an appointment - 703-246-3040 (8am - 4:30pm). Clients will be screened over the phone and an appointment will be made the same day, if possible. Notify the screener if an interpreter is needed for the appointment. Allow at least 2 hours for the appointment, or longer if an interpreter is needed. Please, make childcare arrangements. If you must bring children, please try to bring an adult to accompany them as this is a lengthy process. Protective Orders involving juvenile victims are filed in Domestic Relations, whether or not they involve family members. An adult parent/guardian must accompany the child to the appointment.”

For more information visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/juveniledomesticrelations/domestic-relations/protective-order

If you are seeking a protective order against anyone who is NOT a juvenile or family member, you will need to petition the General District Court (GDC) for a protective order. Please see the below information from GDC civil division:

“There are several forms that must be completed to obtain a preliminary protective order. These forms are available at the civil clerk’s office and can be completed at the court or taken home to complete. You must file your forms in person in the Civil Division office. Court personnel will be happy to assist you but are not able to give any legal advice. There are no filing fees associated with protective orders. If the preliminary protective order is granted, a hearing date is set within 15 days.”

For more information visit: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/generaldistrict/civil/protective-orders

If you are the victim of a crime and want to know what date you must appear in court; you can call the following numbers to determine the court date:

• Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court: 703-246-3367
• General District Court: 703-246-3305
• Circuit Court: 703-246-2228

For General District court cases you may also go to the following website and search by the offender’s name. https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/gdcourts/captchaVerification.do?landing=landing

Please contact the police department non-emergency number at 703-691-2131 to inquire if you are eligible. If eligible, an officer will be able to meet you at your residence while you collect personal essentials such as clothing, toiletries, important documents, and tools of the trade.

At the conclusion of the court case the officer or detective can make your property releasable to you. You will then need to call the Police Department Property Room at 703-246-2786 an make an appointment to retrieve your property. Make sure you bring a valid photo ID with you to your appointment. The Property Section is located at 10600 Page Ave, Fairfax, VA 22030.

Copies of police reports are released only to law enforcement officers or by subpoena. However, if you were involved in an incident that resulted in a police report, you may obtain an incident verification form. It includes brief, written verification that a police report was filed, including the case number assigned to that incident, date and location of the incident, type of incident, and the officer's name. NOTE: An exception is if the crime was a domestic assault and battery only, no other crime was committed or charged, and you are the victim requesting the report. In this situation a redacted copy of the police report may be provided to you.

Incident verification forms are available for:

• Victims of a crime
• Property owners
• Those directly involved in the incident itself
• Complainants (those who reported the incident to the police department).

There may be a $10 dollar fee to receive a copy of the incident verification forms or report.

To obtain a copy of an incident verification form you may either make the request in person at the Records Division, located at 12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035, or in writing via mail. Please indicate on the envelope that the request is for an incident verification form.

For more information visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/servicesah/centralrecords

Once a court case is finalized you may request a copy of the case disposition from the clerk’s office in the court in which case was heard. Copies may be requested in person or in writing. The fee is ranges from $0.50 cents to $1 per page, and an additional $2.00 dollars if you want the copy certified. Requests received in writing will be responded to within two business days. Fees for copying must be paid in advance and a self-addressed, stamped return envelope must be provided. You will need proof of identification that you are a party to the case when request certain records.

Accepted identification includes:

• Valid U.S. driver's license
• DMV identification card
• Passport
• Military ID
• Original birth certificate

You do not need to be a party to a case to receive a copy of an adult criminal warrant, protective order, or child support order, but you will still be asked to present identification. Juvenile information will be redacted (i.e., removed) for non-parties.

Below you will find the address and phone number for each Clerk’s Office, Criminal Sections.

Circuit Court, Criminal Division:
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Suite 409 & 409.1
703-246-2228

Juvenile Domestic Relation Clerks Office:
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
Suite 301
703-246-2580

General District Court, Criminal Division:
4110 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030
2nd floor
703-246-3305