• How can the Victim Assistance unit help crime victims and/or their families?
A victim liaison of the Vicitms Assistance unit can assist victims and/or their families by telephone, appointment or walk-in. They will provide assistance and referrals based on the specific needs of each situation. He/she can assist the victim. The will aslo assist in application for Victims Compensation.

• Who can apply for compensation through ACVCC (Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission).
Any person who is an innocent victim of criminally injurious conduct and who has sustained personal injuries as a result: or a surviving spouse or child of a victim who died as a result of criminally injurious conduct.

• What other requirements must be met to qualify for Compensation?
The claim must be filed within one year of the incident.  The crime must be reported to the proper law enforcement agency within 72 hours of the incident, or good cause shown.  The vicitm or claimant must cooperate fully with law enforcement.  The victim or the claimant must not be the offender or an accomplice of the offender.  No portion of the compensation shall unjustly benefit the offender.  The victim must not have contributed to the offense, or have involved in illegal activity at the time of the offense.  The victim cannot be a person who was confined in a jail, penitentiary of other correctional facility at the time of the crime.  The victim will not be compensated if he/she has committed a criminal injury to another or he/she shall be convicted of a felony after applying for compensation.

• How do I know if our relationship is considered a Common Law Marriage?
Three things must exist to establish a common law marriage:  Capacity - physical and mental capacity to enter into a marriage contract.  Present agreement of consent by both parties to live together as husband and wife.  Consummation - There are no specific time requirements. - The main requirement is intent.

• What is the difference between a PFA (protection from abuse order) and a restraining Order?
A protection from abuse order is a civil document which has criminal penalties to it, and may be obtained through the District Court's Court Advocate.  A restraining order is strictly a civil document and you need an attorney to obtain one.  Also if the restraining order is violated, you need your attorney again to go to court and have the Judge holde the violator in Contempt of Court.

• Since the PFA order seems so much better that a Restraining order, are there any special requirements that need to be met to obtain one?
Yes, you must have one or more of the following - Married, regardless of living arrangments. - Divorced or separated. - Common-law or former common-law spouse. - Have a child in common. - Present or former household member. - Parent or child of each other.

• Why should I leave my house and go to a shelter when he's the one who's doing wrong?
We realize this is very difficult, but your safety is the most important thing to consider. If your life is in danger, it's more important to seek safe shelter for you and your children than to worry about material things. They can be replaced you can't.

• If I leave my home ot get away from my abuser, does this mean I've abandoned my house and/or my children?
Leaving your abuser does not necessarily mean you've abandoned your residence. In fact, during the PFA process the judge may order your abuser to allow you back into the home, and order him to leave. The answer to this question usually lies in the fact of who acquired the home and when.

• If I go to a shelter, do I have to stay for a certain length of time? Can I go to work? Can my children go to school?
If you decide to go to a shelter, you may leave at any time you choose. You can go to work and your children can go to school just as if they were at home.

• Can I take my car to the shelter?
Yes, you will need it to go to work.

• What if I really don't want him arrested? I just want him to get some counseling. Is this possible?
Sometimes the best way to convince a batterer to get counseling is to hold him accountable for his actions. The court may even mandate (order) him to a domestic violence program.