Program Directory

Alabama

Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission

2400 Presidents Dr., Suite 300, Montgomery, AL 36116
P.O. Box 1548
Montgomery, AL 36102-1548
(334) 290-4420
FAX (334) 290-4455
1-800-541-9388 (victims only)

Web site: www.acvcc.state.al.us
Application: www.acvcc.state.al.us/downloads.htm

Executive Director: Cassie Jones
Commissioners: Barbara Brown, Miriam Shehane, Chief Rick Singleton

Created in 1984, 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 or the surviving family member of a victim. The commission has a statutory mandate to advocate on behalf of crime victims for improved rights and services.

FUNDING
The program derives money from court costs and offender fees. Costs received are $2 per moving traffic ticket, $10 per misdemeanor, and $15 per felony. Judges also must assess a special victim assessment fee ranging in the judge's discretion from $25 - $1,000 per misdemeanor, and $50 - $10,000 per felony, with half of the minimum fee going to the Office of Prosecution Services, and the remaining amount to the cornmission. The program also receives an annual VOCA grant.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Law enforcement reporting period: 72 hours
Filing limit: 1 year
Exceptions: Requirements may be waived for good cause

PROCEDURES
The commission meets monthly to determine claims in excess of $2,000. The executive director rules on claims of less than $2,000 and supplemental expenses less than $1,000.

Appeals: Appeal requests must be in writing and received by the commission within 30 days of the claimant's notification. Alabama's Administrative Procedures Act sets procedures for the hearing, and the commission has decision-making authority for all appeal cases. Staff may present informally the case on behalf of the victim prior to an appeal hearing if new information regarding the claim is available.

BENEFITS
Maximum award: $15,000

Compensable Costs (with limits)

Medical expenses
Mental health counseling: limit of no more than 50 treatment sessions during 2-year period, with maximum of $8,000 in exigent circumstances. Inpatient treatment considered as any other medical condition. Maximum hourly rates: M.D.: $125; Ph.D.: $100; licensed counselors and social workers: $80
Lost wages/support: $400 per week for no more than 26 weeks. Also may be paid for time lost in attending funeral or in attending trial if not a witness. Future economic loss of up to $5,000 may be considered in cases of permanent disability or death, or when offender is supporting victim.
Funerals: $5,000
Moving expenses: $1,000 in cases of imminent 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: $1,500 ($75 per week for 12 weeks for child care)
Crime-scene cleanup/evidence: $1,000 for property taken as evidence or soiled or damaged in crime
Travel: mileage at prevailing state government rate, food and lodging up to $75 per day for trips out of town for court or medical services and counseling (immediate family only)
Emergency: $1,000




	Program Directory Alabama Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission 2400 Presidents Dr., Suite 300, Montgomery, AL 36116 P.O. Box 1548 Montgomery, AL 36102-1548 (334) 290-4420 FAX (334) 290-4455 1-800-541-9388 (victims only) Web site: www.acvcc.state.al.us Application: www.acvcc.state.al.us/downloads.htm Executive Director: Cassie Jones Commissioners: Barbara Brown, Miriam Shehane, Chief Rick Singleton Created in 1984, 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 or the surviving family member of a victim. The commission has a statutory mandate to advocate on behalf of crime victims for improved rights and services. FUNDING The program derives money from court costs and offender fees. Costs received are $2 per moving traffic ticket, $10 per misdemeanor, and $15 per felony. Judges also must assess a special victim assessment fee ranging in the judge's discretion from $25 - $1,000 per misdemeanor, and $50 - $10,000 per felony, with half of the minimum fee going to the Office of Prosecution Services, and the remaining amount to the cornmission. The program also receives an annual VOCA grant. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Law enforcement reporting period: 72 hours Filing limit: 1 year Exceptions: Requirements may be waived for good cause PROCEDURES The commission meets monthly to determine claims in excess of $2,000. The executive director rules on claims of less than $2,000 and supplemental expenses less than $1,000. Appeals: Appeal requests must be in writing and received by the commission within 30 days of the claimant's notification. Alabama's Administrative Procedures Act sets procedures for the hearing, and the commission has decision-making authority for all appeal cases. Staff may present informally the case on behalf of the victim prior to an appeal hearing if new information regarding the claim is available. BENEFITS Maximum award: $15,000 Compensable Costs (with limits) Medical expenses Mental health counseling: limit of no more than 50 treatment sessions during 2-year period, with maximum of $8,000 in exigent circumstances. Inpatient treatment considered as any other medical condition. Maximum hourly rates: M.D.: $125; Ph.D.: $100; licensed counselors and social workers: $80 Lost wages/support: $400 per week for no more than 26 weeks. Also may be paid for time lost in attending funeral or in attending trial if not a witness. Future economic loss of up to $5,000 may be considered in cases of permanent disability or death, or when offender is supporting victim. Funerals: $5,000 Moving expenses: $1,000 in cases of imminent 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: $1,500 ($75 per week for 12 weeks for child care) Crime-scene cleanup/evidence: $1,000 for property taken as evidence or soiled or damaged in crime Travel: mileage at prevailing state government rate, food and lodging up to $75 per day for trips out of town for court or medical services and counseling (immediate family only) Emergency: $1,000