Victim Unit
The Victim/Witness Unit was established by the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to assist victims and witnesses through the criminal justice process. The Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney recognizes that recovering from crime takes time and that victims and witnesses deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Many victims and witnesses have never been involved in the criminal justice process and do not know what to expect. We are here to help!
Services
Services
- Inform victims of their rights.
- Connect victims with available resources.
- Inform and assist victims regarding the VINE Program.
- Notify victims of hearing dates and changes to those dates.
- Explain and answer questions regarding the court process.
- Inform and help victims fill out the Crime Victims Compensation Program application.
- Provide information about available protection from threats or harm.
- With respect to victims of violent and sex crimes, to have a crime victim advocate or any other support person of the victim's choosing, present at any prosecutorial or defense interviews with the victim, and at any judicial proceedings related to criminal acts committed against the victim. This applies if practical and if the presence of the crime victim advocate or support person does not cause any unnecessary delay in the investigation or prosecution of the case and they are not a witness in the case.
- Familiarize victims with the criminal justice system.
- Provide a safe location for victims to wait prior to testifying or attending hearings.
- Contact employers to explain or verify a victims involvement in a case.
- Attend hearings or trial with a victim.
- Assist victims in compiling a Victim Impact Statement (VIS) for sentencing.
- Assist victims in obtaining restitution.
- Notify victims and witnesses of the final outcome of a case.
- Act as a liaison between victims and the prosecutor.