District Attorney Phil Cline announced the state Victim Compensation Program awarded $469,914 to the District Attorney's Victim Service Bureau to help victims of violent crime in Tulare County over the last fiscal year.

The money helped victims of crime pay for medical and dental expenses, mental health counseling, and other relocation costs. The program also provided income to severely injured or disabled victims who could not work following the crime and helped families of homicide victims pay funeral and burial expenses for their loved ones.

The program is available to residents who are injured or threatened with physical injury as a result of a crime. The program may reimburse the costs of job retraining and home or vehicle renovation when a crime results in permanent disability. The program is funded through fines and fees paid by state and federal criminal offenders; no taxpayer or general fund money is used.

The program is part of our local victim/witness assistance center. The center can help victims file applications and receive information on benefits available to them.

Victims must file an application within one year of the date of the crime. Information and applications are available on line at www.victimcompensation.ca.gov.  or by calling our Victim/Witness Assistance Bureau at (559) 733-6754.

District Attorney Phil Cline stated:

"Compensation for victims of violent crime is absolutely essential in restoring victim's lives. Nothing can pay for the pain and suffering of victims at the hands of violent criminals, but this program helps them survive the experience and become productive members of society once again."

For further information contact:
Carol Turner, Assistant District Attorney