The primary goal of the Victim’s Assistance Program is to make the criminal justice system more responsive to individual citizens, particularly to victims of crime.
A primary concern of the District Attorney’s Office is to ensure crime victims a meaningful role in the criminal and juvenile justice system and to accord them due dignity and respect. To this end it is the philosophy of the office that every effort be made to maximize victim involvement at every possible stage of a criminal case. The office is committed to full implementation of Victims Rights as embodied in Oregon law.
Victim Advocates
Victim advocates are generally assigned in felony and domestic violence cases. Advocates will work directly with crime victims to explain the criminal justice system, including what rights are available to them, provide court accompaniment, offer referral information to appropriate community services and guide victims through the prosecution process.
Contact our Victim Advocates: 503-988-3222
Other Victim Services
We provide 24-hour on-call response to the victims of sexual assault. This immediate crisis intervention service is then followed by ongoing support and advocacy throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case.
All victims of crimes being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office receive: information about their rights as victims; opportunity to submit information about their losses for restitution; and notification letters on the case status and disposition.
National Victim Notification Network (VINE)
VINE is a free resource that provides searchable information regarding the current custody status of an offender. Crime victims and concerned citizens may register to be notified automatically when an offender is released, transferred, escapes, dies, or has a change in parole or probation status.
Prosecution
No one but 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.