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Victim Resources
Being a victim is not your fault. It can be a stressful situation and some people find it very difficult to cope. Victims may need to seek help through their support system, counseling, or victim assistance.
FBI Victim Services: Coping with Crime Victimization
Victim’s Rights
In accordance with Alabama Victims’ Rights Laws Statute § 15-23-62, the City of Opelika Police Department and all other law enforcement agencies in Alabama are required to provide victims of crime with the information referenced below within 72 hours, unless the victim is unavailable or incapacitated as a result of a crime committed against them.
(1) The availability of emergency and crisis services.
(2) The availability of violent crime victims’ compensation benefits and the name, address, and telephone number of the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission.
(3) The name of the law enforcement officer and telephone number of the law enforcement agency with the following statement attached: ‘If within 60 days you are not notified of an arrest in your case, you may call the telephone number of the law enforcement agency for the status of the case.’
(4) The procedural steps involved in criminal prosecution.
(5) The rights authorized by the Alabama Constitution on rights of victims, including a form to invoke these rights.
(6) The existence and eligibility requirements of restitution and compensation pursuant to Section 15-18- 65 et. seq. and Section 15-23-1 et. seq.
(7) A recommended procedure if the victim is subjected to threats or intimidation.
(8) The name and telephone number of the office of the prosecuting attorney to contact for further information.
Alabama Attorney General’s Office Victim Assistance 1-800-626-7676
Victim Assistance
- Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission 1-800-541-9388
- Provides compensation to victims for expenses for personal injuries including medical, funeral, and counseling bills.
- United Way 2-1-1
- Connects you with a referral specialist who will direct you to an agency that can help.
- VOCAL Angel House 1-800-239-3219
- Provides assistance to families of homicide victims including counseling, referrals, and support.
- Lee County Department of Human Resources (DHR) 334-737-7778
- After-Hours or Emergency Phone Numbers (334) 737-7900
- Lee County DHR Child Protective Services 334-737-7778 or 334-737-7799
- After Hours 334-737-7900 or Cell: 334-363-1002
- Lee County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) 334-703-4066
- 202 N. 26th Street, Opelika, AL 36801
- Twin Cedars Child Advocacy Center 334-705-0770
- 1810 Corporate Drive, Opelika, AL 36801
- Provides Crisis Intervention and Response, Interpreter Services, Legal Services for Victims, Restitution, Counseling, and other victim assistance.
- Family Sunshine Center 334-206-2100
- Dedicated to ending family violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking
- Keeping Family Connections 334-502-8600
- 202 S. 26th Street, Opelika, AL 36801
If you are a victim of Sexual Assault it is important to immediately seek medical care and contact the police. DO NOT shower or change clothes in order to preserve any evidence. East Alabama Medical Center Emergency room has a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program available up to 72 hours after an assault occurred.
- Domestic Violence Intervention Center 334-749-1515
- A local organization that provides a 24-hour crisis line, confidential emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other victim assistance.
- Rape Counselors of East Alabama 334-705-0510
- Offers a 24-hour crisis line, confidential emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and other victim assistance.
- Safe Harbor 334-844-7233
- Alabama Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-650-6522
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
- Alabama Coalition Against Rape 334-264-0123
- ACAR is a non-profit working to prevent sexual violence in Alabama.
- AshaKiran 1-800-793-3010
- Helps foreign-born individuals experiencing crises, such as human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence throughout the state of Alabama.
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673
- Family Sunshine Center & Counseling 334-206-2100
- Crisis Line 334-263-0218
- Provides services for victims of family violence, stalking and dating violence, sexual assault, and sex and labor trafficking.
- R.O.S.S. Recovery Organization of Support Specialist 844.307.1760
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 1-800-662-4357
- East Alabama Mental Health Outreach Services 334-742-2700
- Crisis Line 334-742-2877
- 1708 Corporate Drive, Opelika, AL 36801
- Alabama Department of Mental Health Addiction Helpline 844-307-1760
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Auburn 334-521-2676
- Al-Anon Family and Friend Support 334-209-5050
- Narcotics Anonymous 256-500-8889
- American Addiction Centers (AAC) DrugAbuse.com 877-279-9085
- DHR Adult Abuse Hotline 1-800-458-7214
- Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 and press 1; or text 838255
- Veterans Affairs 334-745-9781
- 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, AL
- Assists veterans in many different areas, including rendering civil and criminal legal aid
- Alabama Elder Care 1-800-356-9596
- National Elder Fraud Hotline 1.833.372.8311
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving 1-877-623-3435
- M.A.D.D. offers services to victims of impaired driving crashes.
- East Alabama Mental Health 1-800-815-0630
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) East Alabama 334-745-5611
- Crisis Line 1-800-950-6264
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 9-8-8
- The Crisis Center (Central Alabama) 205-323-7777
- The Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: call 1-866-488-7386
- The Trans Lifeline: call 1-877-565-8860
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 1-877-726-4727
24/7 Crisis Lines
- Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 9.8.8
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.7233
- National Human Trafficking Hotline 888.373.7888
- National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.4673
- Central Alabama Crisis Center 205.323.7777
- Rape Counselors of East Alabama Hotline 334.705.0510
- R.O.S.S. Addiction Helpline 844.307.1760
- VOCAL Crime Victim Crisis Line 800.239.3219
- Family Sunshine Center Crisis Assistance 334.263.0218 @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Additional Resources
- Lee County Health Department 334-745-5765
- Social Security (877) 512-3857
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
- Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance 334-223-3213
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tipline 1-866-347-2423
- Lee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) 334-749-8161
- Lee County Sheriff Office 334-749-5651
- Lee County Circuit Clerk’s Office 334-737-3526
- Opelika Municipal Court 334-705-5190
- Legal Assistance Services 334-826-6828
- Lee County Probate Office 334-737-3670
- FBI Local Office 334-466-5041
- Alabama State Trooper Post and Driver's License 334-742-9986
- American Red Cross 334-749-9981
- Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama- HICA 205.945.5505
- Crash Reports https://www.crashdocs.org/#/ @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Recursos para víctimas
- Línea Directa Nacional de Violencia Doméstica 1.800.799.7233
Línea de vida nacional para la prevención del suicidio 9.8.8 - La Línea de Ayuda Nacional Online de Asalto Sexual 1.800.656.4673
- Línea Nacional Contra la Trata de Personas 1.888.373.7888
- Ayuda de salud mental
- Comisión para la Compensación de las Víctimas del Crimen de Alabama
(334) 290-4420 o sin cargo al 1-800-541-9388 (víctimas únicamente) - Departamento de Recursos Humanos de Alabama
- ¡HICA! 866.502.HICA (4422)
- AshaKiran 1.800.793.3010
Misdemeanor/Municipal Ordinance Violations
The Opelika Municipal Court has jurisdiction over prosecutions for violations of municipal ordinances and State misdemeanor offenses occurring within Opelika city limits and police jurisdiction.
- Crime occurs and is reported to police.
- Accused is arrested or victim files complaint with the Opelika Magistrate. A complaint is a written statement made upon oath before a magistrate giving essential facts of the offense and alleging that the defendant committed the offense. The Magistrate may then issue a warrant for the arrest of the person charged and subpoena witnesses.
- Following an arrest, the accused may be released on bond under conditions imposed to assure appearance at trial or minimize the risk of harm to others.
- Initial Appearance. Defendant enters plea of “Guilty” or “Not Guilty”.
- If “Guilty” plea is entered, the case proceeds directly to the Sentencing Phase.
- If “Not Guilty” plea is entered, the case will proceed to Trial Phase.
- Trial Phase. Victims/witnesses may be required to testify. If the defendant is found guilty, he/she will be sentenced by the judge to: Jail, Fine, Restitution, and/or Probation. The victim of a crime does not need his/her own lawyer; the City Prosecutor is responsible for prosecuting cases in municipal court.
- Appeals Phase. If the case is appealed by the convicted offender, the City Prosecutor will work to uphold and defend the conviction.
Opelika Municipal Court 334-705-5190
Criminal Felony Procedure
- Crime occurs and is reported to police.
- The Evidence is Presented. A formal complaint is signed. Depending on the evidence, the case could proceed directly to the grand jury prior to the arrest of the accused.
- The Accused is Arrested.
- The Preliminary Hearing is Held. Depending on the evidence, this step could be skipped with the case proceeding directly to the grand jury prior to the arrest of the accused.
- Evidence is presented to a Grand Jury.
- If Case is True Billed by a Grand Jury, Proceed to Arraignment.
- If a “Not Guilty” plea entered, then the case will proceed to the Trial Phase.
- The Arraignment. The defendant enters plea of “Guilty” or “Not Guilty”.
- If a “Guilty” plea is entered, the case will proceed directly to the Sentencing Phase.
- If a “Not Guilty” plea entered, then the case will proceed to the Trial Phase.
- The Trial Phase. If the defendant is found guilty, he/she will be sentenced by the trial judge to one or more of the following: Prison, Fine, Restitution, Probation.
- The Appeals Phase. If the case is appealed by the convicted offender to the Appellate Courts, an attorney from the Alabama Attorney General’s Office will be assigned to work to uphold and defend the conviction on behalf of the State of Alabama.
Lee County Circuit Clerk’s Office 334-737-3526
How to Swear Out a Warrant for Arrest
- Go to the police in the city in which the abuse happened and fill out an incident report.
- Get the warrant by going to a magistrate. The police will send you to the proper person. Before you get the warrant, you must give a sworn statement of the abuse (an affidavit). Read it carefully to make sure there are no mistakes before you sign it. The law enforcement officer must have sufficient evidence before a warrant will be issued. It helps to have proof- a witness, pictures, torn clothing, etc.
- After the arrest warrant has been issued, the police or sheriff will arrest the person who has been hurting you. That doesn’t mean that person will stay in jail. The abuser will usually be given the opportunity to post bond. Often, this takes only a short time. You may want to get to a safe place before the abuser is released. If bond is posted, the family or household member hurting you will be free until the time of the trial. The abuser is subject to prosecution after having been arrested.
Getting a Protection Order
Under the Alabama Protection from Abuse Act, you may get:
- An order restraining the abuser from abusing you or your children.
- An order evicting the abuser from your home and giving you possession of the residence.
- An order preventing the abuser from entering your home, school, business, or place of employment.
- An order awarding you temporary custody of your children and establishing reasonable visitation rights.
- An order directing the abuser to pay support to you for the minor children if the abuser has a legal obligation to do so.
Forms can be obtained at the Circuit Clerk’s officer in each county.
Remember that an order issued under this act is temporary and cannot last longer than one year. To be effective, it must be served on the abuser. If the abuser violated the order, he/she can be punished for civil contempt or criminal contempt of court which may result in a fine or jail.
Property owners are responsible for cleaning up a trauma scene on their property.
- BioOne 334-523-9191
- BioSweep 844-466-6367
- Aftermath 877-692-7289
- BioCleaners 855-854-2510
- Servpro 334-729-2310
Cycle of Abuse
- Tension Building: a minor conflict has caused tension to build
- Violent Episode: tension explodes into an emotionally and/or physically abusive incident.
- Honeymoon Period: The abuser apologizes and expresses remorse, often minimizing the seriousness of the incident.
Taking Action to Stop Abuse
- Tell someone: a family member, friend, the police, abuse hotline worker, etc.
- Call the Police: call 9-1-1 when the first incident of violence occurs.
- Plan a way out: know what to do and where to go if a situation gets out of control.
- Get help: reach out to local resources who will help you make life changes and provide support.