About the Program

The Victim/Witness Program of the Seward County Attorney's Office is designed to answer questions and provide assistance to you in dealing with the criminal and juvenile justice system. You will find basic information with an explanation of the steps that are involved in typical criminal and juvenile prosecution cases.

Kansas Crime Victims

A major emphasis in our office is complying with the provisions of the Kansas Victims Bill of Rights. Our duties include prompt notification of all adult public hearings, providing assistance to victims of crime, locating additional resources to assist victims and their families, arranging for witness appearances, and providing support throughout the criminal process. The system is similar in juvenile proceedings.

Services Provided to Victims of Crime

• Crime Victims Assistance - Helps to ensure efficient and effective Statewide coordination of local crime victim and witness assistance programs and direct assistance to crime victims and their families. The program also educates and trains the public, professionals, and victims' advocates on crime victims' rights. In addition, the program is responsible for administering numerous State and Federal grant funds which provide services to the victims of crime.
• Crime Victims Compensation Board - Provides victims with financial assistance for loss of earnings and out-of-pocket loss for injuries sustained as a direct result of violent crime. This includes reasonable medical care, mental health counseling, or other services necessary as a result of the injury. In the event of the death of the victim, reasonable medical expenses and the partial cost of funeral, burial or cremation is reimbursable.

How to Apply for Compensation

Victims or their representatives can apply for compensation by filing a Declaration of Eligibility Form with the Crime Victims' Compensation Board.

Compensation Process

• Victims or their representatives can apply for compensation by filing a Declaration of Eligibility Form with the Crime Victims' Compensation Board. The form is available in the Seward County Attorney's Office or by contacting the Crime Victims' Compensation Board in Topeka, KS at (785) 296-2359.
• Plea hearings may be scheduled if plea negotiations have been pursued by the County Attorney's Office.
• If you are seeking restitution for damages you must submit proof of loss to the Victim/Witness Coordinator.
• Notices of all hearings will be sent to victims if we have current addresses. It is not required that you attend all hearings unless you have a subpoena.

Keeping Track of the Defendant once they have been sentenced and sent to prison

• The Kansas VINE system is a service through which victims of crime can use the telephone or Internet to search for information regarding the custody status of their offender and to register to receive telephone and e-mail notification when the offender’s custody status changes. The VINE toll-free number for the Kansas VINE system is (866) 574-8463. This service is provided to assist victims of crime who have a right to know about their offender's custody status. To Axcess this website go to: https://www.vinelink.com

We Need Your Assistance
As a victim or witness of a crime, your assistance is vital to our system of criminal justice. This system is absolutely dependent upon your cooperation. Without your help in reporting and testifying about crime, it would not be possible to successfully prosecute criminals. Crime is a community concern, and only through a cooperative effort can we make our community the best that it can be.

Russell Hasenbank, Seward County Attorney
Carmen Flores, Victim/Witness Coordinator