VICTIM SERVICES PROGRAM / RESTITUTION COLLECTED
Funded by the Criminal Justice Division of the Office of the Governor, the Brazos County CSCD's Victim Services Program was established to provide services to victims of crime whose offenders are under community supervision. Program goals include informing the victim of his or her rights and being an advocate for the victim.
Some program activities include:

* Identifying and contacting victims;
* Notifying victims of changes in offender status;
* Accompanying victims to court;
* Giving updates on restitution payments;
* Helping access victim compensation programs;
* Locating available resources;
* Conducting victim-offender mediation meetings; and,
* Community education.

Staff members are limited by law as to what information they can give the victim. The following is a sample of what staff members can and cannot reveal to a victim:
Can reveal:

The person is under community supervision;
The name of the person's supervising officer;
What the conditionS of community supervision are for the person;
Whether or not the person is working;
Whether or not the person is current on meeting court ordered financial obligations;
Whether a motion to revoke or motion to proceed with adjudication has been filed and the results of the motion;
The person has been transferred to another jurisdiction, the name of the jurisdiction, and the name of the person's supervising officer; and,
Whether the person is assigned to a residential program.

Cannot reveal:

Medical information regarding the person;
Results of urinalysis testing (exception: when a positive test is the reason for filing a motion to revoke or motion to proceed with supervision;)
Results of assessments or reassessments;
Information contained in the chronology documentation of the person's case file;
Information contained in the pre / post-sentence investigation; and
Residential program type; ie: substance abuse treatment, treatment for mental/emotional illness, or mental retardation.

It is important to note that the items listed above as "cannot" are absolutes, while the "can" items are optional. If an officer or the Victim Services Coordinator believes it is not in the best interest of the offender or the victim to release certain information above, they may choose not to release that information.
Collecting restitution is a very important part of what we do. During Fiscal Year 1999, over $554,220 was collected in restitution and sent to the District and County Attorneys' offices for disbursement to victims. The monthly installments are sent to the prosecutors' offices at the beginning of the month following collection, and are disbursed by them thereafter. If you are a victim and believe a payment has been made and you have not received your money, please call Minette Beckner, Victim Services Coordinator, at (979) 823-3820. Along with payment questions, victims are always encouraged to call the Victim Services Coordinator with any questions. If she is not available, a message will be taken and the call will be returned as soon as possible.
Persons interested in volunteering with the Victim Services Program should also call the Victim Services Coordinator, and click to review general volunteer information.