NCJ Number
80550
Date Published
1981
Length
86 pages
Annotation
This report presents a preliminary description and assessment of the California Victim/Witness Assistance Program, which provides comprehensive services in 30 California counties.
Abstract
The report analyzes the program's first 6 months of operation from July 1, 1980, until December 30, 1980. The program began as a result of passage of California Senate Bill 383 in 1979. Grant awards have been given to local assistance programs begun in 30 of the 58 counties in California. The program represents the first comprehensive effort to permanently build victim/witness services into the criminal justice system. Four program objectives have been adopted: to provide financial aid to establish and maintain a comprehensive program for victims and witnesses of all types of crime, to improve the criminal justice system's understanding of victims' and witnesses' needs and to increase their participation in the administration of justice; to provide for faster and more complete recovery for victims and witnesses, and to increase the role of victim and witness programs in assisting victims of violent crime to prepare applications for State compensation. The report concludes that local criminal justice agencies have referred an increasing number of clients to assistance centers, that centers have informed witnesses of case progress or disposition in an increasing number of cases, and that the collection level of funds and penalties (which funds this program) may be too low. Footnotes and appendixes of data, center descriptions, referral sources, and other information are included. (Author summary modified)