Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 28 - Judicial Administration last revised: May 20, 2024
§ 551.151 - Definitions.

(a) For purpose of this rule, victim is generally defined as someone who suffers direct or threatened physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of the commission of a crime. The term “victim” also includes the immediate family of a minor or a homicide victim.

(b) For purpose of this rule, witness is defined as someone who has information or evidence concerning a crime, and provides information regarding this knowledge to a law enforcement agency. Where the witness is a minor, the term “witness” includes an appropriate family member. The term “witness” does not include defense witnesses or those individuals involved in the crime as a perpetrator or accomplice.

(c) For purpose of this rule, serious crime is defined as a criminal offense that involves personal violence, attempted or threatened personal violence or significant property loss.

(d) For purpose of this rule, the phrase release from a Bureau institution refers to an inmate's furlough, parole (including appearance before the Parole Commission), transfer to a State or local detention facility, transfer to a community corrections center, mandatory release, expiration of sentence, escape (including apprehension), death, and other such release-related information.

[49 FR 18386, Apr. 30, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 6178, Feb. 21, 1990; 64 FR 68265, Dec. 6, 1999]
authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 18 U.S.C. 1512,3621,3622,3624,4001,4005,4042,4081,4082,1987,4161,1987,5006,1984,5039; 28 U.S.C. 509,510; Pub. L. 99-500 (sec. 209); Attorney General's May 1, 1995 Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance
source: 44 FR 38252, June 29, 1979, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 28 CFR 551.151