NCJ Number
69158
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE NEED FOR VICTIM-WITNESS PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR TO FULFILL OBLIGATIONS TOWARD THE VICTIM IN AREAS INCLUDING NOTIFICATION OF CASE PROGRESS AND SOCIAL AGENCY REFERRAL IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
WHILE MANY PROGRAMS FOCUS ON THE RIGHTS AND REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, FEW FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF THE CRIME VICTIM, WHOSE COOPERATION IS VITAL AT ALL STAGES OF PROSECTUION. A VICTM-WITNESS PROGRAM SHOULD DEVELOP PROCEDURES FOR CLARIFYING AND EXPLAINING THE SYSTEM AS IT APPLIES TO THE VICTIM, INFORMING ALL VICTIMS OF THE EXISTENCE OF COMPENSATION PROGRAMS, AND PROVIDING A SIMPLE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE. IN AN ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIF., STUDY, ALMOST 73 PERCENT OF ALL VICTIMS SUFFERING PHYSICAL INJURIES RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION, AND 61 PERCENT OF THOSE INJURED WERE NOT AWARE THAT CALIFORNIA HAS A COMPENSATION PROGRAM. OTHER PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE INCLUDE IMMEDIATE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, DEVELOPING PUBLIC AWARENESS PROGRAMS, ASSISTING FAMILIES WITH AFTERMATH ARRANGEMENTS, AND CONDUCTING VICTIMIZATION SURVEYS TO PINPOINT AREAS IN NEED OF ATTENTION. METHODS FOR MEETING THESE INCLUDE AN IMPROVED AND COMPLETE SYSTEM OF CASE PROGRESS INFORMATION, EXPEDITIOUS RETURN OF PROPERTY, VIGOROUS PROSECUTION OF CASES OF ALLEGED OR SUSPECTED CASE OF WITNESS INTIMIDATION, A WELL-DEVELOPED SOCIAL SERVICE REFERRAL SYSTEM, AND WITNESS NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES ARRANGED TO COINCIDE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITH THE CONVENIENCE OF THE WITNESS. A REORDERING OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BUREAUCRACY TO ONE MORE SYMPATHETIC TO THE VICTIMS SHOULD INCLUDE THE GATHERING OF EMPIRICAL DATA, DEVELOPING OF PILOT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, AND THE CREATION OF VICTIM-WITNESS CENTERS TO ACCOMMODATE CRIME VICTIMS. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 69153-54, 69156-57, 69160-61.