NCJ Number
70847
Date Published
1980
Length
112 pages
Annotation
How bar associations can assist crime victims and witnesses is detailed in this manual, which outlines nearly 50 programs bar associations can undertake to end the often neglectful treatment of crime victims.
Abstract
After a brief examination of past efforts to improve the treatment of victims and witnesses, the manual suggests special reasons for bar involvement and provides specific guidance on the creation of bar committees on victim-witness assistance. Types of programs that bar associations can undertake alone or in cooperation with the police, prosecutors, courts, or citizen organizations are suggested; several model budgets are included along with practical suggestions for financing victim-witness assistance programs. Other issues addressed are the role of the court in victim-witness assistance, the problems of defense witnesses, and the benefits of bar cooperation with citizen-based organizations. Methods for analyzing existing citizen-based services by bar associations are outlined; also, a form of cataloging is presented by which bar analysts can develop a checklist for enumerating and describing existing victim-witness assistance programs. Finally, general principles for planning and executing program evaluations are outlined. Appendixes contain directories for State criminal justice councils and for offices of State crime victim compensation, selected American Bar Association Criminal Justice Standards, LEAA Victim Witness Strategy grantees for fiscal year 1979, members of the Victims Committee of the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, and model budgets of Bar Association Victim Witness Assistance Programs. Sample directory forms for State and local programs are provided. (Author abstract modified)