Towner County Victim Witness Assistance Program
Contact Us:
Phone Number:
(701)968-4340 Ext. 2010
Mailing Address:
PO Box 723
Cando, ND 58324
Physical Address:
Towner County Courthouse
315 2nd Street
Cando, ND 58324
About
The Towner County Victim/Witness Program helps victims of crime rebuild their lives and overcome the physical and emotional consequences of a crime. The goal of this program is to improve the treatment of victims and witnesses of crime by providing them with the services necessary to assist their recovery from a criminal act and to support them as they move through the criminal justice system.
Anyone that is a victim of a crime that is being prosecuted by the State's Attorney's Office has a right to victim services.
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Services Provided
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General information about the criminal justice system
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Notification of court hearings
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Information related to the availability of crime victims compensation, witness fees, and restitution
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Orientation to the courtroom
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Accompaniment to court, if necessary
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Information on available protective services
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Referrals to public and/or private helping agencies
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Victim Rights
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To be informed as to the status of the investigation
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To be informed as to criminal charges filed
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To be informed of the defendant's pretrial status
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To be provided a safe waiting area during trial
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To receive notice as to victims' and witnesses' participation in court proceedings
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To submit a Victim Impact Statement
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To receive information about available services
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To be informed of the procedures for receiving any witness fees to which they are entitled by law
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To have property returned that was taken as evidence
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To be present throughout trial
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To be informed of rights to a prompt disposition of the case
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To receive notice as to scheduling and cancellations of hearings
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To be consulted on any potential plea agreement
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To be advised of any verdict
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To receive prompt notice of defendant's release from custody
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Helpful Terminology
​Bond Hearing
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This is the first time the defendant appears in front of the Judge. The Judge will set a bail amount and full conditions of bond, typically including a no contact with a victim.
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Change of Plea/Sentencing Hearing
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In felony cases, this hearing is scheduled when the defendant decides to change his/her plea to guilty. At this hearing, a victim has the right to submit a Victim Impact Statement. These statements are important for the Judge to recognize all of the ways the crime has affected the victim.
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Initial Appearance
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This hearing occurs in misdemeanor cases only. At this hearing, the defendant will plead guilty or not guilty. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the court will schedule a Pretrial Conference. If a guilty plea is entered, the Judge will immediately sentence the defendant.
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Plea Agreement
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The defendant accepting a plea agreement means to settle a case without a trial.
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Preliminary Hearing
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This hearing occurs in felony cases only. Testimony is heard by the Judge. The prosecuting attorney must establish probable cause that a crime has been committed by the defendant.
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Trial
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Victims and witnesses may be required to testify at a trial. A trial may either be a Jury Trial or a Bench Trial, which is heard by a judge, not a jury.
Resources
The ALL ND Victims Help Tool provides legal information and resources that can be helpful to a victim of a crime.
North Dakota offers compensation to crime victims who suffer physical or emotional injury.
ND SAVIN, North Dakota's Victim Notification Service, is a free, secure, and confidential way to access custody status and information about criminal cases.
A summary of victim rights in North Dakota