Victim Witness Program: Case Study

Our Victim Witness Program contains a small waiting for crime victims. The victim waiting area is designated for victims of crime only. Because our Superior Court is located directly in front of our office, our victims are able to come to our office during court hearings and trials. Our Victim Waiting area allows victims to have a safe, quite and comfortable area while the court is taking a break, the victim is waiting to testify or a jury is out deliberating. The use of the victim waiting area will decrease the chance the victim will run into or have to see the defendant or have possible contact with juror. This area is also used for victims when they are required t come to the office to have a meeting with the prosecuting and/or defense attorneys.
The current furniture in this waiting currently consists of a small loveseat and 1 chair and is the original furniture purchased back in the 80’s when the victim witness program was established. Therefore the loveseat and chair are very worn, and outdated. We are requesting the purchase of new loveseat, and 2 chairs and bookshelf (so that we may stock the area with books, magazines and coloring books for victims). Our goal is to make the Victim waiting more appealing and comfortable for victims while they are participating in an already stressful in the criminal justice process.