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1. Who do I contact if I have been a victim of a crime?

Sherburne County Victim Witness Services      
Phone: 763-765-4756
Email Michelle Berner

2. Where is the Sherburne County Victim Witness Services office?

Sherburne County Government Center

13880 Business Center Drive
Suite 100

Elk River, MN 55330

Our office is located within the County Attorney's Office.

3. What can I expect at the court hearings?

Read our Court Hearings Brochure (PDF) for what to expect in a court hearings.

4. How do I ask to have a No Contact Order dropped?

Please contact the Victim Witness Coordinator at 763-765-4756 or email Michelle Berner to express your wishes and the Coordinator will go over your different options.

5. Can I have the criminal charges dropped?

The State of Minnesota has filed criminal charges in the case, not the victim. Please contact the Victim Witness Coordinator at 763-765-4756 or email Michelle Berner regarding your thoughts and wishes for the outcome of the case. The Coordinator will ensure your input is considered.

6. How do I request a copy of the police report?

You must provide a written request to our office stating who you are, what you would like copies of, why you would like the police report and your contact information. You can either send your request via email to Michelle Berner, mail or drop off in person at our office located at:

Sherburne County Government Center

13880 Business Center Drive
Suite 100

Elk River, MN 55330

Our office is located within the County Attorney's Office.

7. Do I have to come to the court hearing?

As a victim, you are not required to attend court unless you received a subpoena. You do have the right to attend the hearings if you wish. Please contact our office if you plan to attend a hearing and the Victim Witness Coordinator can accompany you to the courtroom and provide helpful information.

8. What is restitution?

Restitution may be ordered by the Court to restore the victim for expenses incurred related to the crime. Restitution can be ordered both in adult and juvenile criminal cases at sentencing (adult) and disposition (juvenile) hearings. Contact Victim Witness Services for more information.

9. How can I request restitution?

You must complete an Affidavit for Restitution (PDF). Here you will provide a list of your losses, the dollar value of repair or replacement, and receipts or reasons justifying the amounts. The form should be filed as soon as possible.

 To recuperate your losses, we need to have this information before a plea of guilt.

 Examples of losses covered by restitution include, but are not limited to:

• Medical bills not covered by insurance
• Transportation
• Lost wages
• Repair or replacement of stolen or damaged property

Copies of bills, receipts, insurance claim forms, and estimates should be attached to the affidavit of restitution form. The form must also  include the defendant’s name and court file numbers. If you need help or assistance completing the affidavit of restitution form, please call the Sherburne County Crime Victim / Witness Office at 763-765-4756.

10. What is Reparations?

Reparations (PDF) is money available to assist victims with certain costs incurred as a result of a crime, such as:

• Counseling costs
• Funeral expenses
• Lost wages
• Medical care
• Substitute child care

Property damage or loss is not covered. Most claims must be filed within three years of the incident. Victims of violent crimes should file a claim for reparations even if they are also requesting restitution. It is not guaranteed the offender will pay restitution and not all victims are eligible for reparations. Form more information, contact the Victim Witness office.

11. What is a Victim Impact Statement?

A Victim Impact Statement (PDF) may be the only means of making offenders aware of the harm they have caused. A Victim Impact Statement can be written or oral. It gives the victim an opportunity to provide information for the judge to consider at sentencing and allows the victim to express the pain, anguish, and financial devastation the crime has caused. It also provides the court with information, which leads to appropriate sentences and suitable restitution.

According to the law, the victim determines how the statement should be presented at the sentencing or disposition hearing. They may choose one of the following:

• Present the statement in written form
• Present the statement orally to the court
• Request the prosecuting attorney or victim coordinator to orally present the statement

The following are items to consider including in your Victim Impact Statement:

• A brief summary of the harm or trauma suffered as a result of the crime
• A summary of the financial loss or damage suffered as a result of the crime
• The victim's reactions or objections to the proposed sentence
• Opinion regarding jail, prison, work release privileges, community service can be addressed
• A short statement of what the desired outcome should be, including support for, or opposition to, treatment or community service programs, and the reasons in support of such outcomes
• Highlights about the victim, their past accomplishments, hopes for the future, and what the crime has done to these activities
• The overall effect the incident has had on the victim and family

We encourage you to limit the facts to those which are unique to you and which the Court does not have knowledge of already. Contact the Victim Witness Office for more information.

12. How do I find out if the offender is in custody?

There are a few ways to check on the status of an offender in Minnesota. You will need to know the offenders name.

• The Minnesota Department of Corrections provides information on offenders held in a state prison.
• The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system provides information on offenders held within a Minnesota county jail. VINE is accessible by phone at 877-MN4-VINE 877-664-8463) or at their website.
• The Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office provides a list of their current jail roster or you may contact the Sherburne County Jail at 763-765-3800.