
Violent crime shatters lives and changes futures. It affects the victims, witnesses, their families, neighborhoods, and sometimes even whole communities. The Victim Services Division (VSD) was established to ensure that rights of crime victims are protected. The VSD through its dedicated staff provides immediate and direct support and assistance to crime victims, their families and witnesses suffering emotionally, financially, and physically. These free services are available to help victims cope with the trauma and the aftermath of victimization, and to lessen the revictimization often associated with participation in the criminal justice process.
The VSD is a part of the Major Crimes Bureau within Fairfax County Police Department. VSD has a multi-lingual staff, along with a Spanish speaking unit. The VSD is 1 of 16 Victim Witness Programs that are housed within law enforcement in Virginia. This allows victims to have a continuum of services from the moment the crime occurs, throughout the duration of the criminal justice process and sometimes long after. We believe in a victim centered and trauma informed team approach, helping victims feel supported and empowered during this process.
What services does VSD provide?
- Inform victims of their rights
- Provide on-scene crisis intervention
- Provide emotional support to victims and families
- Assist with filing Virginia Victims' Fund claims
- Assist with Protective Order process
- Assist with confidentiality and notification requests
- Provide resources and referrals
- Court advocacy, preparation, and accompaniment
- Assist with Victim Impact Statements
Who is eligible for services?
The Victim Services Division assists crime victims residing in Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Town of Herndon, and Vienna. Victims of the following crime categories may be eligible for services pursuant to VA. Code Ann. 19.2-11.01
- Assault and Battery
- Malicious Wounding
- Felony Hit and Run
- Homicide
- Certain Sexual Assault Crimes or Sexual Battery
- Certain Child Physical and Sexual Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Stalking
- Human Trafficking
- Felony Elder Abuse
- Bias Crimes
- Robbery
- Violation of a Protective Order
Your Rights as a Crime Victim
Virginia law affords certain rights to crime victims pursuant to the Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act, Va. Code Ann. §§19.2-11.01, et seq., including:
- The right to be informed
- The right to confidentiality
- The right to notice of court dates and other court-related assistance
- The right to notice of defendant or prisoner status
- The right to provide input in the process
- The right to safety
- The right to financial assistance
- The right to post trial assistance and other notices
Engage Your Rights!
For assistance with your rights, completing and submitting the above forms contact your Victim Services Specialist directly or call 703-246-2141 or (TTY) 711
The following information can assist victims of a crime that need to appear in court for a case.
If you are the victim of one of the following:
- all felony cases in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDR), General District Court (GDC), and Circuit Court (Circuit). This includes felony probation violations and attendant programs such as Drug Court.
- The following misdemeanors:
- DWI (GDC and Circuit)
- Intimate partner domestic violence (IPDV) (JDR and Circuit)
- Stalking (JDR, GDC, and Circuit)
- Sexual battery (JDR, GDC, and Circuit)
- Violation of protective orders issued in stalking & IPDV cases (JDR, GDC, and Circuit)
- Traffic fatalities (JDR, GDC, and Circuit)
- Possession of marijuana with an offense date prior to July 1, 2020 (GDC and Circuit)
- Violations of §18.2-308.1:6 arising out of noncompliance with a substantial risk order issued pursuant to §§19.2-152.13 or 19.2-152.14 (JDR, GDC, and Circuit)
- Misdemeanor cases attached to felony cases to the extent such cases are part of the same incident and have been consolidated with the felony case(s) for preliminary hearing. (JDR, GDC, and Circuit)
- Misdemeanor cases covered by VA Code 16.1-232 appealed from JDR to Circuit.
- Veterans Treatment Docket
- Mental Health Docket
- Any case of significance or public importance as determined by the Commonwealth's Attorney
You may have an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney assigned to your case for prosecution.
If you are NOT the victim of one of the above types of crimes:
You may not have an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney prosecuting your case, and you may have to present your own case to the judge in court.
If you have never been in a courtroom, please click below to see pictures of what a courtroom looks like.
