Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Local Victim Receives $253

According to Attorney General Mark Pryor, $167,641.63 was given to crime victims during October. The money was awarded by the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board to 171 eligible victims.

More than $1.8 million was awarded to 1,711 eligible victims during 1998, Pryor said. "We cannot allow the rights of crime victims to take a backseat to those afforded to criminals," said Pryor. "The Crime Victims Reparations Board provides a valuable service to victims and serves as a good reminder that we need to continue working to balance the scales of justice," he said.

The Crime Victims Program was created by the 76th General Assembly in 1987. A five- member Crime Victims Reparations Board, chaired by Greene County Victim Assistance Director Andrea Hicks, makes the final decisions on awarding or denying claims.

The Attorney General's office administers the program by receiving and investigating the claims. Claims are limited to $10,000 maximum and cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, replacement services and funeral expenses.

One of the most positive aspects of the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Program is that a portion of the funding comes from individuals who commit crimes. A major source of revenue for the program is the assessment of court costs and fees.

In addition to Hicks, the board includes Dr. Jan Church of Little Rock, Alvin Clay of Little Rock, Paula Stobaugh of Russellville and Lynn Williams of Hot Springs.

In October $253.12 was paid to one crime victim claim in Nevada County.