ALABAMA
Victim Resources & Support Services

As of July 27, 1995, in sexual abuse crime and offenses, Alabama law provides for the cost of medical examinations for the purpose of gathering evidence and treatment for preventing venereal disease.� Application for other expenses incurred, including physical injury, counseling and lost wages, must meet eligibility criteria.

This assistance lessens the financial burden of innocent victims of violent crime and serves as a vehicle of hope for the rights of crime victims.

It requires a victim or family member of a victim of violent crime to serve on the three-member commission which hears victim compensation cases.� This provision insures that claims are reviewed from the victim's standpoint.

The commission operates as an independent executive branch agency, with a three-member board appointed by the governor. At least one member of the board must be a law enforcement officer with 10 years' experience, and one member must be a victim. The commission has a statutory responsibility to advocate on behalf of crime victims for improved rights and services.

• FUNDING

  The program derives money from court costs and victim assessment fees. Costs received are $2 per moving traffic ticket, $10 per misdemeanor, and $15 per felony. A special victim assessment fee ranges from $25 - $1,000 per misdemeanor, and $50 - $10,000 per felony, in the judge's discretion, with half of the minimum fee going to the Office of Prosecution Services, and the remaining amount to the commission. Court costs are mandatory; the victim assessment fee also is mandatory, although the amount assessed is in the judge's discretion. The program also receives an annual VOCA grant.

• ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  Reporting period: 72 hours
  Filing limit: 1 year
  Exceptions: Good cause; exception liberally construed for children or the elderly, or for victims with physical or mental incapacity

• PROCEDURES

  Applications are reviewed and analyzed by administrative staff. The commission meets monthly to determine claims in excess of $2,000. The director rules on claims of less than $2,000 and supplemental expenses less than $1,000.

  Appeals: Appeals must be in writing within 30 days. Commission rehears case with an impartial hearing officer present.

• BENEFITS

  Maximum award: $10,000

  Compensable costs (with limits)

  • Medical expenses
  • Mental health counseling: limit of no more than 50 treatment sessions during 2-year period, with maximum of $3,500 for outpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment considered as any other medical condition. Maximum hourly rates: M.D.: $100; Ph.D.: $80; licensed counselors and social workers: $70
  • Lost wages/support: $200 per week for no more than 26 weeks. Future economic loss of up to $3,000 may be considered in cases of permanent disability or death.
  • Funerals: $3,000
  • Moving expenses: $500, only in cases of imminent physical danger to the victim (not simply to eliminate psychological trauma or move from bad neighborhood); used for security deposits, utility deposits, cost of move
  • Replacement services: $500
  • Property damage/cleanup: $500 for property taken as evidence or soiled or damaged as a result of crime
  • Transportation: mileage @25 cents per mile, food and lodging up to $50 per day for trips out of town for court or medical services and counseling (immediate family only)
  • Emergency: $500