VICTIM WITNESS CENTER

VICTIM RIGHTS

In 2018, Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly approved State Question 794 which expanded the rights of victims of crime. The question amended the Oklahoma Constitution to reflect that victim's rights would be protected in a manner equal to a defendant's rights. To read more about Marsy's Law in Oklahoma, click here.

VICTIM COMPENSATION

The purpose of the Crime Victim's Compensation Program is to provide a method of compensation for victims of violent crime. All funds come from federal and state offenders through fines and penalty assessments. The offender does not have to be arrested in order to be eligible to file a claim. It is expected that the victim (claimant) will cooperate in the apprehension, investigation and prosecution of the offender.

To apply for Victims Compensation Benefits online click here.

If you prefer to complete a written application, please complete one of the printable versions below and send it to the Oklahoma Crime Victims Board via mail or fax. The address and fax number can be found on the form.

Printable PDF in English  |  PDF Imprimible en Español

​Printable Word Doc in English  |  Word Doc Imprimible en Español

 

Victim Compensation Advocates

• Misty Norman: (405) 713-1634
• Linda Cordon: (405) 713-161

RESTITUTION

Oklahoma State Statute provides that as part of a sentence or plea agreement, the Court can order the defendant to pay restitution to the victim of the crime. Restitution may only be ordered in cases where evidence is shown to the Court of actual expenses the victim has incurred because of the crime. Some types of expenses the Court may consider include:

• Counseling, medical or dental expenses resulting from the crime
• Funeral expenses the family has incurred if the victim died as a result of the crime
• Loss of income resulting from the crime
• Other documentation expenses resulting from the crime
• Property damage resulting from the crime
• Value of property or money stolen that could not be recovered​​

To read more about restitution from state statute, click here.

PROBATION

When a defendant is found guilty of a crime, either by a jury's verdict or a plea of guilty, they can receive probation. Probation is supervised by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, a private supervision provider or other entity, as designated by the court. Probation generally does not exceed two years but can be extended to the maximum term of the sentence made by the Court. ​

If the probation supervision is through the District Attorney's Office, the offender will be required to pay $40 per month during the first two years of probation. The fees are applied to the costs incurred during the prosecution of the offender and for the additional work of verifying compliance with the rules and conditions of the offender's probation.

• 1 year probation = $480
• 2 years probation = $960

BOGUS CHECK

The Bogus Check services provided by the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office has benefited many Oklahoma County merchants. Each year the business community loses millions of dollars as a result of bogus checks. To assist in the fight against crime, the Bogus Check Restitution Program was established and designed to recover as much of the merchant's money as possible.

Bogus Check Services

Since its inception in 1982, the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office has collected and returned more than $50 million dollars to the Oklahoma County merchants. This program is available to all merchants free of charge and is also no burden to taxpayers as it is solely funded by the fees assessed to the bogus check writers.

If you are a merchant and would like more information concerning this program, call the Bogus Check and Restitution Office at (405) 713-1698 and/or download the Merchant Packet (PDF).

Merchant Packet & Forms

The Oklahoma County Bogus Check and Restitution Program requires registration with the DA's office. To do so, please download and complete the forms, and return the Merchant Packet (PDF) to:

Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Bogus Check and Restitution Division
211 N. Robinson Ave., Ste. N700
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

All forms MUST be signed, completed and returned to the Bogus Check and Restitution Office within 120 days of the transaction.

Program Guidelines

A merchant may use this program as soon as a check is returned unpaid. 

When a check writer does not pay, download the Merchant Packet (PDF); sign and fill out the forms completely, include a copy of the bank rejected check, and mail the packet to the District Attorney’s Bogus Check and Restitution Office at the address above within 120 days of the transaction.

Do not give the check writer any extensions. This only allows the bad check writer to change residences and makes collection procedures more difficult.

There is NO CHARGE to anyone who receives a bogus check. The check writer will be accessed fees to cover the costs.

Where does the check writer make payment?

Once the bogus check is in the possession of the District Attorney, ALL PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. If you should encounter the check writer, direct him or her to contact the District Attorney's Bogus Check and Restitution Office by calling (405) 713-1698.                 

Restitution Agreement

If the check writer is unable to make full payment at that time they are contacted by the District Attorney's Office, the DA may allow the check writer to enter into a Restitution Agreement that is payable over time (but no longer than three [3] years). If a restitution agreement is in place, the merchant will receive what is due them first. Any state fees or court costs will be paid last. The District Attorney may prosecute a check writer who fails to comply with his or her restitution agreement.

Helpful Information for Businesses

1. ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION

A Driver's License is a good form of identification. Make sure the name on the Driver's License is the same as the name on the check. Look at the picture. Is it the same person?

You must be able to identify the check writer in case of prosecution.

2. INITIAL THE CHECK

We must know which employee took the check.

3. LIST THE FOLLOWING INFO ON THE CHECK:

• Driver's License Number and State of Issuance
• Date of Birth
• Physical Description (height, weight, hair and eye color)
• Place of employment (or phone number)

These procedures take a little extra time, but will make a big difference in our ability to serve you. Businesses that do not ask for proper identification are likely to find themselves a favorite target of bogus check writers. Previously, checks with numbers below 300 were the majority of bad checks. However, a person can start their check numbers anywhere now. With this in mind, some banks will print on the check the month and year that the account was opened. Be wary of new accounts.

FAQs

Is it a crime to bounce a check?

In many cases a check returned from the bank because of insufficient funds, a closed account or a non-existent account may be prosecutable and punishable by law under Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Sections 1541.1 – 1541.4.

Is the business or individual to whom the check was written required to notify you if the check gets returned before proceeding with criminal action?  

No. Only your financial institution is required, by law, to attempt to notify you of a returned check.

Does my returned check be presented to my bank twice before criminal action can be taken?

No. Legal action can be taken as soon as 5 days have passed from the date on the returned check.

What can happen to me if I write a check that does not clear the bank?

Depending upon the circumstances in which your check was written, there are many possibilities as to how an individual or business could handle a returned check.

Some of the possibilities might include: the victim may choose to contact you and give you the opportunity to pay the check; the victim may choose a civil remedy and file the check in small claim court or the victim may choose to proceed criminally and refer it to the District Attorney’s Office for collection and/or prosecution in which substantial fees are assessed and prosecution may be pursued. In almost every case, fees will be assessed costing you much more than the face value of the check.

I did not realize there were not sufficient funds in my account. Can I still be penalized if my check is returned?

Yes. You are responsible for your account and insuring that adequate funds are available for every check you write. The law assumes there is “knowledge and intent to defraud” if a check is returned from the bank because of insufficient funds, a closed account or a non-existent account.

Can a business refuse to take my check?

Yes. Checks are not legal tender, therefore, the acceptance of a check is left to the discretion of each business.

When passing a check, do I have to provide the information required by some businesses?

No. You do not have to provide any information if you do not wish to give it. However, a business can also refuse your check based on its acceptance policies.

I have a practice of "floating" checks a few days before payday. How many days does it take a check to clear the bank?

“Floating” checks is not legal. Checks should only be written if adequate funds are immediately available in your account to cover each check written. Some checks may actually clear the bank the same day they are written.