OFFICE OF VICTIM WITNESS/ADVOCACY

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The Prosecutor's Office of Victim Witness Advocacy strives to ensure that the greatest number of victims receive the highest quality of services.  Our mission is to abide by the Creed of the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office of Victim/Witness Advocacy while continuing to identify areas where services for crime victims can be enhanced.  The purpose of the unit is to provide comprehensive services to meet the needs of crime victims beginning at the point of victimization, continuing throughout their involvement in the criminal justice system and beyond.    

The Prosecutor’s Office of Victim Witness Advocacy staff consists of a Victim Witness Coordinator, seven Victim Advocates and two Victim Witness Assistants.  The support staff positions are funded by the Victims of Crime Act Grant.

The Office of Victim Witness Advocacy is responsible for the delivery of a wide-range of services pursuant to the Attorney General’s Standards to Ensure the Rights of Crime Victims.  It is the responsibility of the Office of Victim Witnesses Advocacy to keep all victims and witnesses advised of the current status of their cases.  The Notification System is the component by which our program provides crime victims and witnesses this information.  This system consists of a series of letters that are mailed at each significant phase of the criminal prosecution.

An essential role of the Victim Witness staff is to advocate on victims’ behalf and promote their rights within the criminal justice system.  Every effort is made by the staff to ensure that the voices of victims are heard, that the criminal justice system continues to be victim-sensitive, and that the victim is not victimized a second time as he/she proceeds through the criminal justice system.  The staff acts as a liaison for the victims as they interact with assistant prosecutors, investigative staff and court personnel, and is responsible for providing short-term counseling; crisis intervention; needs assessment; court accompaniment; necessary restitution information; and social service referrals designed to ease the burden associated with participation in criminal prosecutions.  In addition to assisting victims in the preparation of restitution requests, the staff also helps them complete and file claims with the Victims of Crimes Compensation Board.

One of the most important and basic rights of victims during prosecutions is the right to participate.  Advocates ensure that victims are afforded the right by providing guidance and support, and also by encouraging them to exercise their rights by presenting Victim Impact Statements at sentencing and other critical stages of prosecutions.  In a related vein, the Advocates and Victim Witness Assistants also notify victims of inmate releases on bail, parole eligibilities and sentence expirations so that victims can take appropriate steps to object or prepare for the inmate's release.

In addition to these direct victim services, the unit continues to establish a strong partnership with allied professionals, other victim service providers, and leaders in the community to ensure that a comprehensive network of services and support is available for crime victims.

The Coordinator is designated as the contact person for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and is responsible to the Prosecutor for all aspects of the project operations.

The Coordinator teaches the Victims’ Rights and Services Training course at the Trenton Police Academy and the New Jersey State Police Academy in Sea Girt, NJ.  This ongoing training further enhances law enforcement's knowledge about victims’ rights.

Finally, as in past years, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was celebrated in April.  The Mercer County event is held in the Criminal Courthouse and recognizes an Assistant Prosecutor who goes “above and beyond” their typical duties with crime victims.  Community agencies and law enforcement are also commended on their “extra” services to crime victims.  The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office participated in the New Jersey Statewide Commemoration of Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Eatontown, NJ.  The program was well attended by victims, victim survivors, advocates, law enforcement officials and local dignitaries. 

To download an application for a New Jersey Victim of Crimes Compensation Board Application, please click here.