One of the elements of good decisionmaking involves securing accurate and complete information on the application. Another critical element of good decisionmaking is knowledge and understanding of all the legislation and regulations that govern the administration of victim compensation programs. Fairness is a crucial element in decisionmaking; it requires that a decisionmaker be aware of any personal biases and overcome them to render fair decisions. Consistency requires that decisionmaking be similar in similar cases. This is facilitated through the use of a policy and procedure manual and referral to a case index where the decisionmaker can determine decisions made in previous similar cases. Experience and case conferences also aid consistency. Decisions must serve victims and the law; at times this means that victims are better served by following the spirit rather than the strict letter of the law. Timeliness is another element of good decisionmaking. Other major sections of this article outline decisionmaking structures for victim compensation and the appeals process.