VICTIM WITNESS OFFICE

Connie Cobb-White

OPERATING AUTHORITY AND PURPOSE

The Racine County Victim Witness program is responsible for ensuring that the rights of victims and witnesses are enforced. Chapter 950 of the Wisconsin Statutes gives counties the responsibility to enforce certain rights for crime victims and witnesses. This office enforces those rights and acts as an advocate to ensure that victims and witnesses are treated with dignity and respect.
 

ACHIEVEMENT OF PERFORMANCE GOALS

Our main goal is to assist victims and witnesses of crime throughout their involvement in the criminal justice process. This was achieved in part as the Sensitive Crimes Advocate and student interns worked very closely with law enforcement and victims to ensure that the needs of victims are addressed in the early part of the process.
Another goal was to continue to work with law enforcement. In 2001 the Victim Witness Office has made great strides in this area, working cohesively with law enforcement, Department of Corrections and other service agencies to promote public awareness to victim services.
In addition, a public Open House as well as a balloon sendoff honoring victims of crime were held during National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Finally, Staff participation in training with the Department of Corrections has helped to forge a way for understanding and possible future implementation of Restorative Justice practices.

With each victim and or witness that would request to discuss their case the staff will always give an overview of the role of the Victim Witness office as well as the judicial court process. With each victim and or witness that is given a subpoena to testify, upon their arrival to the Victim Witness office they are given a brief orientation on the purpose of the hearing they are about to attend and "tips on testifying" should they be called to do so.

The Sensitive Crimes Advocate and the student interns make referrals on a daily basis to Catholic Charities to assist victims with a no cost, one time debriefing session.

The Victim Witness office worked diligently at staying in line with the objectives that were outlined in 2001. The staff will continue to meet objectives and work within the guidelines of Wisconsin State Statue Chapter 950 and the Department of Justice Victims of Crimes Act (V.O.C.A.).

2002 GOALS AND BUDGET STRATEGIES

•  Continue to assist victims and witnesses of crime throughout their involvement in the criminal justice process.
   
•  Continue a collaborative effort with law enforcement, the Division of Corrections and local service agencies to increase public awareness regarding victim services.
   
•  Continue to extend Victim Witness services to western Racine County by maintaining office hours at the Western Racine County Service Center.
   
•  Continue to offer crime victims one-time debriefing services through a contracted service agency.
   
•  Continue to provide contact with felony crime victims within 72 hours of victimization.
   
•  Maintain a core program budget as outlined in the 2002 budget package.