NCJ Number
178600
Date Published
1998
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This manual is intended to help victims and witnesses in California understand the process they may go through as part of the criminal justice system, their rights, state and local services that may assist them, and definitions of legal and law enforcement terms.
Abstract
The first section explains the role of agencies such as victim/witness centers and other organizations in helping victims and witnesses to deal with the trauma resulting from a crime and in helping victims obtain immediate help in the form of food, clothing, or temporary housing. It notes that these centers generally provide counseling services, emergency assistance, help with filing for victim compensation, assistance and support through all criminal justice proceedings, and notification services. The next sections explain the roles of each component of the criminal justice system, the steps in the criminal justice process, and the rights and roles of victims in each phase of court proceedings. Further sections focus on eligibility and application for victim compensation, victims' rights to file civil lawsuits, and the right to be informed when the offender's escape or release has occurred. Figure, glossary, appended form and list of resource organizations, list of persons who contributed to the manual and staff of the California Attorney General's Crime and Violence Prevention Center, and survey for users of this manual