NCJ Number
101567
Date Published
1985
Length
44 pages
Annotation
These Pennsylvania victim/witness service standards, adopted by the Commission on Crime and Delinquency in 1984, promote statewide uniformity in victim-witness services by guiding local agencies in the types of services that victims and witnesses should receive.
Abstract
Overall, the standards are intended to satisfy victims' and witnesses' rights to be treated with dignity and compassion during criminal proceedings, to be protected from intimidation and harm, to be informed on case processing, to be repaid for economic loss, and to be allowed input for key case processing decisions. The standards provide for the establishment of a victim/witness services coordinating committee in each county, composed of representatives of all agencies providing victim/witness services, to coordinate victim/witness services throughout the county. A comprehensive victim service agency is recommended for each county or adjoining counties to provide basic services to crime victims. Standards for victim/witness services are presented under the criminal justice components responsible for implementing them: law enforcement, minor judiciary, prosecution, the court, corrections (probation and parole), and the juvenile justice system. The appendix contains the full text of Pennsylvania Act 96 of 1984, which mandates victim/witness services. Footnotes.