Victim Notification System Law and Legal Definition
A Victim Notification System (VNS) is free computer controlled system of the U.S. Department of Justice which informs victims of federal crimes about the release of or the escape of the offender(s) who perpetrated that crime. VNS is also known as Crime Victim Notification (CVN) or State-wide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS).
In the U.S, the VNS is operated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Attorney's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The VNS can be accessed by telephone or via the internet, and information is also sent by mail. The VNS provides information on scheduled court events and their outcomes, as well as changes in the offender’s custody status and release date. One should have a Victim Identification Number (VIN) and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access VNS.
Apart from the written notifications generated through VNS, victims can obtain automated status information by calling the VNS Call Center.
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