New York Laws
Article 22 - Office of Victim Services
620 - Declaration of Policy and Legislative Intent.

ยง 620. Declaration of policy and legislative intent. The legislature
recognizes that many innocent persons suffer personal physical injury or
death as a result of criminal acts. Such persons or their dependents may
thereby suffer disability, incur financial hardships, or become
dependent upon public assistance. The legislature finds and determines
that there is a need for government financial assistance for such
victims of crime. Accordingly, it is the legislature's intent that aid,
care and support be provided by the state, as a matter of grace, for
such victims of crime.