Can the victim qualify for assistance if the offender was not charged?
Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, the victim may qualify for compensation if the program can find the crime occurred and the victim meets all eligibility requirements. Further, the program bases it’s findings on a preponderance of the evidence: a lower standard than that required by the prosecutor in proving the charges. Therefore, the victim may qualify for assistance even if the offender is never identified, is never charged or is found not guilty.
Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, the victim may qualify for compensation if the program can find that the crime occurred and that the victim meets all eligibility requirements. Further, the program bases it’s findings on a preponderance of the evidence — a lower standard than that required by the prosecutor in proving the charges. Therefore, the victim may qualify for assistance even if the offender is never identified, is never charged or is found not guilty.
