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It is the duty of the Dekalb County District Attorney's Office to seek justice in all cases. In doing so, it is our responsibility to preserve and defend the rights of crime victims. The Victim-Witness Assistance Program is available to minimize the stress the criminal justice process sometimes places on victims.
Services Provided by the Victim Assistance Program
- INFORMATION about case status
- ORIENTATION to the courtroom setting
- REFERRAL to social service agencies, counselors, and other resources
- ASSISTANCE with filing for Victim's Compensation in violent cases
- PERSONAL ADVOCACY with employers, landlords, and creditors with issues related to being a crime victim
- EDUCATION about the court process
- SUPPORT with the feelings that are normal and often occur after being victimized
- COMPANIONSHIP to court and interviews with attorneys or investigators
- INTERVENTION if a victim is harassed or frightened
- ASSISTANCE with contacting the Parole Board or Department of Corrections
Rights of Victims
The DeKalb District Attorneys Office believes victims have a right to be:
- treated with dignity and compassion
- protected from intimidation and harmed
- informed about the criminal justice system
- informed about agencies which can assist them
- informed about the availability of financial compensation
The Victim's Compensation
The State of Georgia, through the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, has a financial compensation program for victims of violent (not property) crime. Eligible expenses are medical, counseling, and funeral costs as well as lost wages. There does not have to be an arrest to be eligible, but the crime must have been reported to authorities.
Please contact the Victim-Witness Assistance Program for more information.
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