top of page

VICTIM SERVICES

What We Provide

The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office regrets that you have been a victim of a crime. Under the Maryland Constitution and State laws and guidelines, a victim of a crime must be treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity during all phases of the criminal justice process. The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office is committed to providing quality services to victims of crime. The Victim Services Unit provides the following services:

​

  • Information specific to your crime, and the recovery process

  • Information on where and how to obtain a civil order of protection or criminal charges

  • Referrals to local, state, and national agencies based on your emotional, physical, and/or financial needs

  • Coordination with law enforcement and other legal personnel handling your case

  • Information on safety planning

  • Information on how to obtain a copy of your report and any associated fees

  • Information on domestic and family violence

  • Provide support and crisis intervention counseling

  • Information and referrals on the grieving process

  • A crime victim may experience physical, emotional and/or financial losses due to a crime. The Victim Services Unit is here to help victims, witnesses and the community to understand how crime can affect our lives

​

Maryland Crime Victims' Rights

Under the Maryland Constitution and state laws and guidelines, victims of crime must be:

​

  • Treated with dignity, respect and sensitivity

  • Informed of their rights

  • Notified of crisis intervention and counseling services

  • Notified of domestic violence programs and support groups

  • Notified of criminal injuries compensation and other social services available

  • Informed on how to apply for services

  • Told of protection available to them and how to obtain protection

  • Informed by the Police or the State's Attorney's Office of the arrest of a suspect and closing of a case

  • Notified of court hearings and offender custody status

  • Permitted to be present and heard at criminal justice proceedings

  • Permitted to seek restitution from their offender(s)

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior characterized by control of one person over another through physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, sexual and/or economic abuse. Some other forms of domestic violence can include isolation, coercion, harassment, stalking, threats, intimidation, destruction of property and/or abuse of pets. If you are a victim of domestic violence, please contact the Victim Services Unit at 301-600-2164.

Peace Orders & Protective Orders

Peace and protective orders are civil orders issued by a judge to prevent one person from committing certain acts. A petitioner is the person who applies for the order while the respondent is the person from whom the petitioner wants to be protected. Protective orders generally apply to those involved in a domestic relationship while Peace Orders apply to all others.

​

A domestic relationship is considered one of the following:

  • Current or former spouse of the respondent

  • Have lived in an intimate relationship with the respondent for at least 90 days during the past year

  • Related by blood, marriage, or adoption

  • The parent, stepparent, child or stepchild of the respondent and have resided with the respondent for at least 90 days within the past year

  • Share a child in common with the respondent

If your situation does not apply to any of the above then you would qualify to apply for a peace order.

​

The judge may order the respondent to stop threatening or committing abuse, to stay away from the petitioner’s home, place of employment or school, and have no contact with the petitioner or others specified. Only when awarded a protective order can the judge grant the petitioner temporary use and possession of the home, temporary custody of the children or temporary financial support.

A petitioner may fill for a protective order at the Frederick County Courthouse during regular business hours. In the case of an emergency, a petitioner may file a protective order or a peace order after hours at the Frederick County District Court Commissioner's office located at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center at 7300 Marcies Choice Lane in Frederick.

​

For more information, please call the Victim Services Unit at 301-600-2164.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) was established to provide financial assistance to crime victims in Maryland. Victims or surviving family members may be eligible to be reimbursed for medical, mental health, funeral expenses and lost income resulting from a crime under certain conditions.

Who May File a Claim?

  • A person who suffers physical injury as the result of a crime

  • A person who suffered psychological or emotional injury as a result of a crime

  • A surviving spouse or child of a homicide victim

  • Any other person dependent for principal support on a homicide victim

  • Any person who assumed responsibility for funeral expenses of a homicide victim

​

For more information and/or assistance with an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, please contact the Victim Services Unit at 301-600-2164 or visit the CICB website.

Important Contacts

FCSO Victim Services Unit

301-600-2164

Heartly House

301-662-8800

State's Attorney Office

Victim/Witness Coordinator

Circuit Court - 301-600-1575

District Court - 301-600-2573

Child Protective Services

301-600-2464

Adult Protective Services

301-600-2635

Maryland Youth Crisis Hotline

800-422-0009

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800-799-7233

Frederick County District Court Commissioner

301-600-2069

Frederick County Circuit Court

301-600-1975

Frederick County District Court

301-600-2061

bottom of page