HOW THE VICTIM/WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CAN HELP YOU 

Being victimized and going through the court system can be difficult and confusing. Trained Victim/Witness Assistants can give you support, information and referrals.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office provides a Victim Witness Assistance Program for your benefit. People who care about you and your involvement in the criminal justice system staff this program. Their goal is to help lessen the impact of being a victim of a crime or a witness to a crime.

A Victim/Witness Assistant can give you information about how the court system works and what is happening with your case. We can talk to you about your feelings and answer your questions. Some of the services available are:

 - Crime Victim Compensation Program· Information on the status of your  case.

-  The On-Call System allows you to stay by a phone rather than wait long periods at the courthouse to testify in jury trials.

· Call-Off. We attempt to call you as soon as we know an event in your case has been continued   or called off.

· Witness Fee Information.

· Employer Intervention

· Referral to other services that may be of help to you.

· Transportation and lodging when necessary.

· Translator and special needs services. 

CORRECTIONAL FACILITY INFORMATION

After conviction of a defendant charged with a violent crime and upon your written request, your state or local correctional authorities or probation, will notify you of:

· The institution where the person is incarcerated or otherwise being held.

· The projected release date of the person.

· Any release of the person, including furlough, work release, or community corrections in advance of release.

· Scheduled parole hearings for the person and any changes in hearing or schedules.

· Any escape of the person from a correctional facility or program.

· The death of the person while in a correctional facility or program.In addition, upon request of the victim, correctional officials or probation will keep confidential the victim’s or immediate family’s address phone numbers, places of employment, or other personal information.

If the Defendant or Juvenile in your case is sentenced, you have the right to get this information if you request it in writing. Notification Enrollment Forms are available at the Office of the District Attorney. Send your request to: