Victim/Witness Advocates
Victim/Witness Advocates assist victims and their families with the immediate and long-term needs created by crime in their lives. Our victim/witness advocates assist over 40,000 victims and witnesses each year.
As a victim, a family member, or a witness to crime, you play an important role in our criminal justice system. Your assistance and cooperation are essential in our effort to prevent crime and to prosecute criminals.Victim/witness advocates work with deputy district attorneys, investigators and staff to support victims through the criminal justice process. The purpose of the victim/witness advocate program is:
- to see that victims and witnesses are treated with dignity and respect
- to advocate for victims and their loved ones
- to help victims have a voice in criminal proceedings
Victim/witness advocates provide a variety of services. They:
- explain the criminal justice process and court procedures
- inform victims and witnesses of ongoing case
status, dates and times of hearings, trials, final disposition, and
sentence review
- accompany and support victims and witnesses throughout hearings, the trial, and sentencing
assist in solving problems with employers, schools and/ or landlords
- direct victims to community resources for further assistance
- facilitate the return of property being held as evidence
- answer questions regarding the preparation of the victim impact statement form
- ensure that the victim is notified of the correct agency to contact to receive post-conviction notification
Additional services are available for child victims and witnesses and for those with disabilities And/or language barriers.
Communication is very important in the criminal
justice system for both the victim and the prosecutor. To assist you
more efficiently, please include the case number and the defendant’s
name when calling or writing our office. You will find the defendant’s
name, case number, and your victim advocate’s name and phone number at
the top of all letters.
Please remember: We must have your current address
and phone numbers to keep you informed. Call or write us whenever you
have a change of address or phone number.