Victim witness assistance program merced ca

Some of the services we provide are: We will provide crisis intervention for victims in the form of counseling , reassurance and support following the crime. We can also provide immediate emergency assistance to victims such as food, clothing and lodging. We will explain the criminal justice system and individualize it to your particular case. We will direct victims to community resources that can help them further. We can assist victims and families with preparing and delivering Victim Impact Statements in court at sentencing hearings.

We help to obtain court-ordered restitution from offenders. We can accompany victims and witnesses to court for support and keep them informed on updates at court hearings they are unable to attend. Collaborating with other community agencies to provide optimal services to victims of violent crimes.

Provides a safe and secure environment for child victims of crimes to give their statements. Some of the services that we provide are: We can accompany witnesses to court and if they want sit next to them on the witness stand for extra support. We will notify witnesses as the case progresses of the status and final disposition of the case. We will provide guidance and refer witnesses to outside agencies that can provide the assistance the witness requires.

For more information about restitution when the crime was committed by an adult, read Restitution Basics for Victims of Crimes by Adults For more information about restitution when the crime was committed by a juvenile, read Restitution Basics for Victims of Offenses by Juveniles There are court forms and instructions that can help if you decide to file ask for an order for restitution:.

You can also find out if the defendant has assets so you can collect restitution. Many counties have a victim witness department. Victims have the right to be notified of all juvenile court hearings and the right to attend and express their views about the disposition of the case.

If there is a court hearing and you do not want to or are unable to go to the hearings, you can still find out about the final disposition of the case, including the restitution order. As a victim you are entitled to attend the juvenile court hearings that deal with your case, and you should receive notice of the hearings.

Victims are allowed to bring up to 2 support people. But any party to the case, including the offender, can prohibit the victim and the support people from attending.

If you are excluded from the hearing, you can still express your views, in a reasonable way, by submitting a victim impact statement. See California Welfare and Institution Code section At the dispositional hearing, if the judge rules that the youth committed the offense, the judge will impose sanctions on him or her. Sanctions may include the following:. Many counties have programs that give you the opportunity to tell the offender how the crime affected you.

You can do this by writing a statement that you or an advocate can read in court or the probation officer can forward to the offender. Another possibility is a facilitated dialogue with the offender, such as supervised victim-offender mediation. The choice to participate is entirely up to you.

If you are afraid of the offender and are worried about your safety once the offender is released from custody, the court may issue "no contact" orders or restraining orders preventing the offender from having contact with you. And, you may be able to get a restraining order through a civil proceeding. Click for more information on getting a restraining order through the civil courts.

It is against the law for your address or telephone number to be given to the offender. See California Penal Code section California Welfare and Institutions Code section b states that victims of juvenile offenders must be informed of any victim-offender conferencing program or victim impact class available in the county. Victim impact classes give victims an opportunity to express, when they are ready, how the crime affected their lives to a small group of offenders.

The youth responsible for the offense in which you were involved will not be in the class. Many services available to crime victims apply to victims of either adult or juvenile offenders. Also included are specific resources for victims of juvenile crime. Restitution Basics for Victims of Crimes by Adults This booklet will help you understand your right to restitution, how to ask for restitution, what to expect in the criminal case process, and how to collect the money you are owed.

Restitution Basics for Victims of Offenses by Juveniles If you have been a victim of an offense committed by a juvenile, this booklet will help you understand your right to restitution, what to expect as the juvenile case moves forward, special rules in juvenile cases, and how to collect the money you are owed.

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