The Victim-Witness Assistance Program

A Division of the District Attorney's Office for the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. Serving the needs of Victims of Muscogee, Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Talbot, and Taylor Counties.

Message from the District Attorney

  Our criminal justice system should do more than provide justice to criminals. It should also provide justice to innocent crime victims. Historically, our criminal justice system has concentrated on protecting and promoting the rights of the accused while ignoring the rights of crime victims and witnesses.

  If you are a victim of a crime, or a witness to a crime, your cooperation is vital to the prosecution of the case. We understand that you may not be familiar with the criminal justice process. We also understand that the criminal justice system might seem quite confusing and frustrating. Therefore, to provide assistance to you, we have established a Victim-Witness Assistance Program in our office. Staff members are available to answer your questions and to help provide support during your involvement in the criminal justice process.

  The District Attorney's Office is required by law to provide the defense attorney with names, addresses, and telephone numbers of witnesses for the state. The defense attorney may contact you to determine what you know about the case. Should the defense attorney contact you, you have the right to choose whether or not to speak with the defense attorney. You also have the right to have someone from the District Attorney's Office or your personal present during the interview.

  Please feel free to contact our Victim Witness Assistance Program. Our staff will be happy to be of service to you.

  Your cooperation as a witness or victim is a vital public service and is very important to the District Attorney's Office. We are here to help guide you through the legal system, by answering any questions you might have concerning your case. Please let us know how we can help.

If you are a witness...

  If you receive a subpoena to appear in court, you are required by law to attend. Remember, your cooperation is very important to the person accused of the crime. Unfortunately, court hearings are often passed (that is, postponed) for any number of reasons. If you receive a subpoena for Superior Court, call Victim-Witness Assistance prior to your scheduled court appearance. The VWP will inform you of changes in scheduled hearings and could help you avoid unnecessary trips to the courthouse.

  If there are special reasons you are unable to appear in court on the date you have been subpoenaed, please call the Victim-Witness Assistance Program immediately.

If you are a victim...

  No one expects to be a victim of a crime. But it happens. One American household in three is victimized by serious crime every year.

  If you or someone close to you is affected by crime, you may be shocked, angered, or shamed. And you most probably will feel helpless and confused.

  The criminal justice system has traditionally ignored the special needs of victims while concentrating on protecting the rights of the accused. But the tide is changing.

  The Victim-Witness Assistance Program is here to offer crime victims and witnesses emotional support during the aftermath of crime and guidance through the maze of the criminal justice system.

Victims' Bill of Rights

1. Right to be notified when the accused is arrested.
2. Right to be notified when court to consider bail/bond.
3. Right to tell DA what the victim thinks about the release of accused on bail/bond.
4. Right to be notified when accused is released on bond.
5. Right to file an affidavit with DA if victim believes accused who has been let out on bail or bond is threatening victim.
6. Right to be notified of scheduled court proceedings and changes in such schedule.
7. Right to be notified of contact name at jail and DA so that victim can call and ask questions.
8. Right to be informed by DA of procedural steps in processing a criminal case.
9. Right to be informed by DA of all victim rights under this article.
10. Right to wait in a separate area from defendant during judicial proceedings (if practical and available).
11. Right to have a hearing on whether victim can be excused from testifying as to victim's address place of employment at a pre-trial if victim and DA believe victim may be subject to physical violence by defendant.
12. Right to tell DA what victim thinks about plea of sentence negotiations.
13. Right to tell DA what victim thinks about defendant's participation in pre-trial or post-trial diversion programs.
14. Right to be notified of appeal process.
15. Right to be notified of parole consideration and right to file objection to parole.
16. Right to be notified when released from custody of a county correctional institution.
17. Right of victim of a sexual offense to be told of special conditions governing release of a defendant, plus the state or county officer who will be supervising the release.
18. Right to be informed of the availability of victim compensation and the availably of victim compensation and the availability of community-based victim treat programs.

Procedural Steps in a Criminal Case

1. Arrest: ...read more
2. First Appearance: ...read more
3. Probable Cause Hearing: ...read more
4. Grand Jury: ...read more
5. Arraignment: ...read more
6. Trial: ...read more
7. Sentencing: ...read more

Available Services

• Information about the status of your court case
• Notice of court proceedings, including changes
• Assistance filing victim compensation
• Orientation to the courtroom setting
• Companion to attend court with you and provide emotional support
• Referral to social service agencies, counselors and others who can assist you with personal problems
• Employer intervention explain time missed from work due to required court appearances
• Private waiting area prior to your court appearances
• Property Recovery of stolen items that are being held as evidence
• Assistance if you are intimidated, harassed or afraid
• Advocacy and Support with any problems that you may be having as a result of the crime itself or court appearances

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