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Victim-Witness Assistance Program

Local Services

Megan Riker-Rheinschild
Director
(805) 568-2408

Jennifer Schneider
North County Supervisor
(805) 346-7543

The Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides a wide range of services to assist witnesses and victims. 

The purposes of these services is two-fold:  To treat victims and witnesses with compassion and understanding, and to secure their cooperation so that cases can be successfully prosecuted.  Units exist in both the North and South County offices.  The Program is funded in part by a state grant and is augmented by a large number of outstanding, hard-working, caring and dedicated volunteers who assist with duties ranging from witness co-ordination to victim claim assistance.

D.A. Advocates are trained to assist victims in the following ways:

  • Support and advocacy for crime victims.
  • Crisis intervention and follow-up counseling for emotional, personal, and financial problems resulting from the crime.
  • Referral to social service agencies, counselors and others who can assist with personal problems.
  • Emergency Assistance (housing, food, medical care, etc.)
  • Process claims for crime-related expenses.
  • Inform victims and witnesses of criminal case status.
  • Court escort to attend court with you and provide emotional support.

VICTIM / WITNESS UNIT SERVICES - AN OVERVIEW - 2000

  • VICTIMS SERVED: 2,771 primary and secondary victims assisted with an additional 4,417 continuing contacts.

  • CRISIS INTERVENTION: 2,449 victims were provided crisis intervention. An additional 2,142 were assisted in obtaining follow-up counseling. During the last 3 years, the unit has averaged over 2,500 victims annually, 3,000 referrals and 5,500 follow-up assists.

  • COURT ESCORTS: 719 individuals were provided escort; 4,699 were given criminal justice orientation assistance; and, another 5,541 were assisted with case status disposition information.

  • SUBPOENA / CALL-OFFS: 19,539 subpoenas issued. The "CALL-OFFS" saved major inconvenience for civilian witnesses and represented significant dollar savings by eliminating unnecessary overtime costs for civilians and law enforcement alike.

  • VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTIONS: 456 hours.
  




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