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County Attorney Home Page > Victim Witness Program
The Victim Witness Program was formalized in the late 1970s to ensure that the needs of victims and witnesses were not ignored. The goal of the program is to provide victims and witnesses of crime supportive services and assistance to deal with the actual crime itself and the expectations of the criminal justice system. Victims and witnesses play a vital role in the criminal justice system and their cooperation is essential in holding offenders accountable.
The Victim Witness Program is available to provide services to victims of all crimes that occur in Anoka County. Program staff provide assistance to victims in both the adult and juvenile court systems. If a victim’s needs cannot be met by the Victim Witness Program, Specialists provide referrals to appropriate service and support resources in the community.
Victim Witness Specialists help crime victims understand their rights and the criminal justice process. They provide ongoing information about the status of a case and escorts to court hearings for those victims who wish to attend. Specially trained Victim Witness Specialists may also provide emotional support and safety planning to victims.
Violence prevention education and information on the criminal justice process are important components of the Victim Witness Program. A Specialist is available to provide community education and outreach in Anoka County.