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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>73425</law_id><section_number>19.2-368.3:1</section_number><catch_line>Crime victims&amp;#8217; ombudsman</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="21.1">Compensating Victims of Crime</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall employ a <span class="dictionary">crime</span> <span class="dictionary">victims</span>&#x2019; ombudsman and adequate staff to facilitate the prompt review and resolution of <span class="dictionary">crime</span> <span class="dictionary">victim</span> compensation claims and to assure that <span class="dictionary">crime</span> <span class="dictionary">victims</span>&#x2019; rights are safeguarded and protected during the claims process. The ombudsman shall report directly to the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>. <a id="paragraph-264229" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-368.3_1/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The ombudsman shall ensure that all parties, including service providers and Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund personnel, are acting in the best interests of the <span class="dictionary">crime</span> <span class="dictionary">victim</span>. The ombudsman shall also provide assistance to <span class="dictionary">crime</span> <span class="dictionary">victims</span> in filling out the necessary forms for compensation and obtaining necessary documentation. <a id="paragraph-264230" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-368.3_1/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1998, c. 484.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
