NCJ Number
173694
Journal
Pennsylvania Progress Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: March 1997 Pages: -
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper describes models designed by Pennsylvania counties to provide services to the victims/witnesses of juvenile crime and explains the types of services made available through these programs.
Abstract
The programs profiled are examples of successful models identified by research and do not constitute a comprehensive sample of all programs and services provided throughout Pennsylvania. The four county victim/witness programs described are distinguished by the agencies or offices responsible for the services. They are the district attorney model, the juvenile probation model, the private-sector model, and a program that combines resources. The services of these various models include victim notification, which makes a primary contact with the victims/witnesses of juvenile crime either by mail, telephone, or both to inform them of the time and date of their hearing and the services available to them. Many of the counties also provide assistance in completing and filing required forms for restitution, crime victim's compensation claims, and a victim impact statement. Also, several counties follow up with a personal phone call, especially to the victims and witnesses of violent and sexual crimes. Other services provided by the victim/witness programs are transportation services to and from hearings, separate waiting facilities that keep victims and witnesses from being in contact with alleged offenders, and on- call services for victims/witnesses. Services also encompass counseling referral services, court orientation, court accompaniment, return of property, post-hearing notification, and restitution payment information.