Section 99-38-7 - Deposit of funds into escrow account; registration by crime victims; notice of establishment of escrow account; payments from escrow to victims; notice of filing of claim(1) The Treasurer shall deposit such monies as he receives under the provisions of Section 99-38-5, within seven (7) days from the receipt thereof, in an interest-bearing escrow account in the name of the person accused or convicted, for the benefit of and payable to any victim or the legal representative of any victim of crimes committed by an accused or convicted person.(2) Any person, or the legal representative of any person, who is the victim of a crime may register with the Treasurer and request to be notified of the establishment of an escrow account under the provisions of this chapter. Such registration shall include the name and address of the victim and his legal representative if applicable, an identification by name of the person accused or convicted of an offense against the victim, the location where and the date upon which such offense occurred, and such other information as the Treasurer shall require. The Treasurer shall immediately notify, by United States mail, the victim or the legal representative of any victim who has registered with the Treasurer upon the establishment of an escrow account for the benefit of any such registered victim. In addition, the Treasurer shall, at least once every four (4) months for one (1) year from the date he receives monies under the provisions of Section 99-38-5, cause to have published a legal notice in some newspaper having a general circulation in the county in which the crime was committed and in counties contiguous to such county advising any and all victims that escrow monies are available to satisfy money judgments pursuant to this chapter. All costs and expenses incurred by the Treasurer in giving the notice and making publication required by this subsection shall be paid from funds in the escrow account. Payments may be made pursuant to this chapter to the victim or his legal representative only if the accused person is convicted or enters a plea of guilty of the crime, and provided that the victim or his legal representative, within one (1) year of the date of the establishment of such escrow account, brings a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction and recovers a money judgment for damages against such person or his legal representative, assignee, beneficiary or heirs at law. The Treasurer shall disburse payments on a pro rata basis of all claims filed according to the amount of money in the escrow account comparable to the amount of each such claim; provided, however, such sums shall not be disbursed until all pending claims have been settled or reduced to judgment.(3) It shall be the duty of the victim, the victim's lawyer or the victim's legal representative to notify the Treasurer within thirty (30) days of filing any claim under this chapter.Laws, 1987, ch. 468, § 4, eff. 7/1/1987.