The Faulkner County Sheriff's Office has recently added a button to our Facebook page for more information on Laura's Law and Laura's Card. If you click the"learn more" button at the top of the page, you will be directed to the Attorney General's website for more information. You may also visit www.cji.edu/resources/lauras-law or www.fcso.ar.gov

Have you ever heard of Laura's Law? What is it exactly?

"Laura's Law" requires Arkansas police officers responding to domestic violence incidents to ask victims a set of questions to evaluate their risk of being killed by abuse, such as whether the offender has ever used a weapon against the victim or controls most of the victim's daily activities. The assessment aims to help identify victims in severe danger needing intervention. Police will also present victims with a "Laura's Card," a document listing their rights and contact information for local prosecutors and shelters.

Law enforcement agencies responding to crime incidents are required to inform victims in writing of their victim's rights. Officers MUST inform victims of the availability of services: medical, housing, counseling, financial, social, legal, and emergency services. In addition, officers MUST inform victims about how to obtain orders of protection, how to access public records related to the case, and about the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board (including the address and phone number).

What is a Laura's Card?

Purpose:

• To provide crime victims their rights afforded to them by Arkansas' Victim's Bill of Rights outlined in Arkansas Victim Rights Act of 1997 and Laura's Card Act 873

• To provide state wide consistency of information concerning victim's rights provided to victims' of crime.

• To provide victim rights and information in a clear and concise manner in order to empower victims to make decisions about their safety

Provides:

• Links to the Arkansas Crime Information Center which contains Arkansas' Victims' Bill of Rights and Crime Victims' Guide to the Arkansas Judicial System.

• Information concerning legal aid and printable protective orders.

• Links to Vine Link notification system.

• Information and a link to the Arkansas Crime Victim's Reparation Program.

• Links to government agencies where more detailed information on victims' rights and resources are located.

• Space provided for local victims' services information including available medical, housing, counseling, financial, social, legal, and emergency services