Robert L. Hudson, District Attorney
Ninth Judicial District Attorney's Office
Payne County Courthouse
606 Husband, Room 202
Stillwater, OK 74074-4044
405-372-4883

If you have been the victim of a crime, you may be unsure of the steps involved in the criminal justice system. The Victim-Witness Program provides comprehensive services to all victims of crime.

District Attorney Rob Hudson and his staff strongly support the rights of victims and witnesses, and are committed to assisting victims of crime through all the stages in the criminal justice system.

Victim Witness Program

The victim, not the state, is directly aggrieved by violent crime and has an unquestionably valid interest in the prosecution of his or her case. The Victim-Witness Center was developed to ensure better treatment of victims and to guard them from the re-victimization often encountered in the criminal justice system. The Victim-Witness Program provides these services to all victims of crime including domestic violence, sexual assault, drunk driving, homicide, and property crimes. The Victim-Witness Program has undertaken the serious responsibility of servicing the interests and concerns of citizens victimized by crime in Payne and Logan Counties.

Crime Victim Compensation Program

Certain crime victims, dependents of a deceased victim or a person authorized to act on behalf of a victim or a person authorized to act on behalf of a victim of a dependent may be eligible for compensation for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a direct result of the criminal acts of another up to $20,000.00. A victim is eligible to receive compensation regardless of whether charges are filed. Decisions to award claims are made by a three-member Board appointed by the Governor. The law does not cover property loss nor pain and suffering. The Victim-Witness Program will provide assistance in completing and processing the claim form.

What Are Your Rights As A Victim?

Oklahoma is one of thirty-one states that have amended their constitutions to include rights for crime victims.

Victim Bill of Rights
Title 19 O.S. § 215.33

  To be notified that a court proceeding to which a victim or witness has been subpoenaed will or will not go on as scheduled, in order to save the person an unnecessary trip to court;
  To receive protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts, and to be provided with information as to the level of protection available and how to access protection;
  To be informed of financial assistance and other social services available as a result of being a witness or a crime victim, including information on how to apply for the assistance and services;
  To be informed of procedure to be followed in order to apply for and receive any
witness fees to which the victim or witness is entitled;
  To be informed of the procedure to be followed in order to apply for and receive any restitution to which the victim is entitled;
  To be provided, whenever possible, a secure waiting area during court proceedings that does not require close proximity to defendants and families and friends of defendants;
  To have any stolen or other personal property expeditiously returned by law enforcement agencies when no longer needed as evidence. If feasible, all such property, except weapons, currency, contraband, property subject to evidentiary analysis and property the ownership of which is disputed, shall be returned to the person;
  To be provided with appropriate employer intercession services to ensure that employer of victims and witnesses will cooperate with the criminal justice process in order to minimize an employee’s loss of pay and other benefits resulting from court appearances;
  To have the family members of all homicide victims afforded all of the services under this section, whether or not the person is to be a witness in any criminal proceedings;
  To be informed of any plea bargain negotiations;
  To have victim impact statements filed with the judgment and sentence;
  To be informed if a sentence is overturned, remanded for new trial or otherwise modified by the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals;
  To be informed in writing of all statutory rights;
  To be informed that when any family member is required to be a witness by a subpoena from the defense, there must be a showing that the witness can provide relevant testimony as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant before the witness may be excluded from the proceeding by invoking the rule to remove potential witnesses;
  To be notified of Pardon and Parole Board actions if you request notification; and
  To be informed in felony cases involving violent crime or sex offenses when pre-trial proceedings may substantially delay prosecution.

Recovery Of Restitution

In certain cases, a defendant can also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim for property damage, personal injury or other financial loss as a result of the crime. Payment will be made to the District Attorney’s Office and forwarded to the Victim. If the Defendant fails to honor his/her payment obligations as ordered by the Court, a warrant can be issued for the defendant’s arrest. Victims should contact the Victim-Witness Program for additional information on how to collect restitution.

Notification Program

Upon request, victims may be notified of case activity from the initial filing of the charge through sentencing and any subsequent parole hearings. If you have been a victim of crime and are interested in being afforded this service, please call the Victim-Witness Center.

Victim-Witness coordinator
Lori McDougal, C.V.A.
405-624-9372
mcdougal@odawan.net

Victim Advocate
Rhonda L. Spencer, C.V.A.
405-624-2182
spencerr@odawan.net

Victim Advocate
Twyla Braly, C.V.A.
405-282-0655
bralyt@odawan.net