State Program Offers Financial Help, Legal Protections for Native Crime Victims

By Cara Cowan Watts

Cherokee 411

For Native families across Oklahoma, the financial and emotional toll of violent crime can be overwhelming. A state program is designed to help shoulder part of that burden.

The Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Program, administered through the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council, provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime and their families. The program covers unreimbursed expenses related to a crime, including medical and dental care, prescriptions, counseling and rehabilitation, funeral and burial costs, work loss and crime scene cleanup.

Importantly for Native families, the program also recognizes traditional healing and ceremonial practices. Compensation may include reimbursement for traditional healing, grief counseling for families of homicide victims, items needed for healing ceremonies, ceremonial funeral meals or food baskets, burial clothing, quilts for gifting and burial, and other related cultural expenses.

Funding for the program does not come from taxpayers. Funds are generated from penalty assessments paid by individuals convicted of crimes in District and Federal Court.

There does not have to be an arrest or conviction for a victim to apply. An attorney is not required to file a claim. Property loss and pain and suffering are not covered.

Generally, claims must be filed within one year of the injury or death. The crime should be reported to Tribal, Federal or State law enforcement within 72 hours. Deadlines may be waived in certain circumstances, including when the victim is a minor or an incapacitated adult.

The maximum award is $20,000, with the possibility of extension to $40,000 in cases involving serious injury or death and excessive wage loss.

In addition to financial assistance, victims have constitutional and statutory rights under Oklahoma law, including the right to be notified of court proceedings, to present a victim impact statement at sentencing, to be informed of plea negotiations and to receive notice of parole proceedings. Victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking have additional protections that must be provided in writing by law enforcement.

Families may also use the state’s VINE notification system to receive updates on an offender’s custody status at 1-877-654-8463 or through vinelink.com.

To file a claim, victims may contact the District Attorney’s Office in the county where the crime occurred or call the Oklahoma Crime Victims Compensation Program at 1-800-745-6098. More information is available at okvictimscomp.com.

For Native families navigating trauma, court systems and financial strain, the message from the program is simple: hope begins with help.