Victim Assistance

The Victim Assistance Program (VAP) is part of the DA's Office and provides general information about the criminal justice system, information about the specific case, and offers support to crime victims throughout the process.

Some examples of the information available through the VAP are listed below:

Crime Victims' Rights
Protective Orders
Property Return
Restitution
Crime Victims' Compensation Program
Civil Claims

Please contact VAP if you have additional questions about any of the topics listed above.

Victim Advocates

Victim advocates are generally assigned in felony cases and domestic violence cases. Victim advocates are available to attend court proceedings with victims and to provide referrals to appropriate community resources to help crime victims through a crisis.

Criminal Prosecution

Only the State can drop charges in a criminal proceeding. The participation and cooperation of crime victims is a valued part of the prosecution process. The State is responsible for holding offenders accountable for their actions when they break the law. This ensures that the law is enforced consistently and that the community need for justice is met. To the extent practicable, the State will consult with crime victims who request to be informed about plea discussions before final plea arrangements are made.