1-877-MADD-HELP, can be a lifeline for new victims/survivors, established victims/survivors with urgent or pressing needs, and family members and friends. Now, a 24-hour live nationwide victim assistance helpline allows us to expand MADD Victim Services and increase service availability and visibility for injured and bereaved victims/survivors.

Read A Victim's Story - Jessica's healing journey double click on link to view the video

MADD is the largest crime-victim assistance organization in the world and our free victim services are essential to our mission. We have more than 1,400 trained victim advocates nationwide available 24 hours a day, seven days a week who help guide victims of drunk driving crashes through the complex legal, medical and financial ramifications of a crash while providing emotional support when people need it most.

MADD Victim Support Group - open to all DWI victims and survivors - if you are interested in participating, please call us at 512 445-4976, Victim Services
The group is forming to meet monthly at 6 PM at the MADD State Office
611 S Congress, Suite 505, Austin TX


What to do if you are a victim of drunk driving in need of assistance:  

  

• Call your local MADD office. (See "Home" page for list and the counties each covers.)
• Contact the investigating law enforcement agency which covered your crash (for example, the Department of Public Safety, local police department or sheriff's office) and request a copy of the crash report.
• Find out if you are eligible to receive Crime Victims' Compensation, a fund which is administered by the Office of the Attorney General. You may either call your local MADD chapter for an application or call the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-983-9933. Examples of some of the costs which may be compensated are: medical, prescription and rehabilitation expenses; lost wages; mental health counseling for victims and family members; funeral expenses; and loss of earnings or support.
• Know your rights as a victim. Scroll to the bottom of this page to read the Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.

Check out these related websites for more information:
Office of the Texas Attorney General
Texas Department of Criminal Justice


TEXAS CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS
A victim of violent crime is (1) someone who is the victim of sexual assault, kidnapping, or aggravated robbery or who has suffered bodily injury or death because of the criminal conduct of another, (2) the close relative (spouse, parent, adult brother or sister, or child) of a deceased victim, or (3) the guardian of a victim. These rights also apply to victims of juvenile crime, including victims who suffer property loss. Victims of crime have the right to:

1. receive adequate protection from harm and threats of harm arising from cooperation with prosecution efforts;
2. have their safety considered by the magistrate when setting bail;
3. advance notification, on request, of relevant court proceedings including cancellations and rescheduling;
4. request information from a peace officer about the defendant's right to bail and criminal investigation procedures, and from the prosecutor's office about general procedures in the criminal justice system, including plea agreements, restitution, appeals, and parole;
5. information about the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Fund and, on request, referral to social service agencies that provide other types of assistance;
6. provide pertinent information concerning the impact of the crime to the probation department conducting the pre-sentencing investigation;
7. payment for medical examinations for victims of sexual assault by the law enforcement agency requesting the exam and, on request, the right to counseling regarding AIDS and HIV infection and testing for sexual assault victims;
8. information, on request, about parole procedures; notification of parole proceedings and of the inmate's release; and the right to participate in the parole process by submitting written information to the Board of Pardons and Paroles for inclusion in the defendant's file for consideration by the Board prior to parole;
9. be present at all public court proceedings, with the presiding judge's consent;
10. a safe waiting area at all public court proceedings;
11. prompt return of any property that is no longer needed as evidence;
12. have the prosecutor notify, upon request, an employer that the need for the victim's testimony may involve the victim's absence from work;
13. complete a Victim Impact Statement, detailing the emotional, physical and financial impact of the crime on the victim and to have the statement considered by a judge at sentencing and by officials prior to the release of the offender(s).

A judge, attorney for the state, peace officer, or law enforcement agency is not liable for a failure or inability to provide a right enumerated herein.

Please call your local MADD chapter (see list on "Home" page), or your crime victim rights contacts in law enforcement and the prosecutor's office for more information about victim rights in your community.