NCJ Number
130800
Date Published
1988
Length
60 pages
Annotation
These New Jersey standards for crime victims' rights and services pertain to criminal investigation, prosecution procedures, special victim populations, and State and county offices of victim-witness advocacy services.
Abstract
Standards for victim rights and services during criminal investigations cover information, treatment, and protection. Information standards prescribe in-person death notification to next of kin, victim information on compensation and the criminal justice process, periodic information on case status, and information to the prosecutor on motor vehicle crashes involving death or serious bodily injury. Treatment involves emergency referral; accompaniment of victims to lineups, body identifications, etc.; victim interviews in private and pleasant surroundings; use of police telephone; and minimization of inconvenience to the victim. Victim protection involves appropriate attention to victim reports of threats or intimidation. Standards for victim rights and services during prosecution are also listed under the general categories of information, treatment, and protection. Standards for special victim populations address children, family-violence victims, handicapped persons, elderly persons, homicide and sudden death survivors, victims of discriminatory crimes, and New Jersey residents who are relatives or survivors of victims of crimes that occurred in another State. Standards delineate the services to be provided by State and county offices of victim-witness advocacy services. Appended sample forms and letters