NCJ Number
74876
Date Published
1978
Length
35 pages
Annotation
A victim and witness assistance project in New York City is described, which includes witness court appearance assistance, services to victims and witnesses, and a case mediation process.
Abstract
Project staff interview prosecution witnesses, develop case files, and notify witnesses of scheduled court appearances using a computerized system which tracks adjournments and schedules. The data base is also used to answer witness questions about court schedules. The system saved needless court appearances by 31.8 percent of the witnesses during one calendar quarter in which 17,427 civilian notifications were handled. The project also handled 14,714 police notifications for court appearances. During the quarter, court adjournment caused by prosecution witness absence declined. Services operated by the project include a reception center, counseling, transportation, a childrens' center, an emergency building repair van, a victim hotline, a restitution program, and a victim property release program. A total of 351 cases were approved for mediation as an alternative to prosecution. Most of the cases were successfully mediated. Sample forms and charts are included.