VICTIM/WITNESS ADVOCATES HELP FAMILY, FRIENDS OF HOMICIDE VICTIMS

April 20, 2004

APRIL 20, 2004

CHARLES DOW, DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, 207-626-8577

 

            When someone is murdered in Maine, lawyers in the Attorney General’s Office direct the investigation and prosecution of the murderer.  But two other dedicated professionals have the difficult job of dealing directly with the murder victim’s loved ones or witnesses to the crime.  The victim/witness advocates in the Attorney General’s Office are on call for crisis intervention around the clock and provide a wide variety of services including death notification, referral to counseling, witness preparation, case status notification, and notification of prisoner release.

            Advocates Mary Farrar and Susie Miller are responsible for ensuring that the criminal justice system provides the following basic victims’ rights:

1.    To be treated with dignity and respect;

2.    To be assisted by criminal justice agencies;

3.    To be informed about the criminal justice system;

4.    To be notified, whenever practicable, of plea agreements, and to be able to comment on them;

5.    To be notified, whenever practicable, of the proposed dismissal of a charge before the action is taken;

6.    To have input at sentencing;

7.    To request restitution;

8.    To request compensation from the Victims’ Compensation Board for unreimbursed medical expenses;

9.    To be notified of the release of the incarcerated perpetrator; and

10.  To receive information on Maine law concerning victims’ rights.

 

Note: This is the first of four press releases related to National Victims’ Rights Week.  The schedule for the rest of the week is as follows: 4/21, Victims’ Compensation Fund; 4/22, Elder Financial Abuse and Exploitation; 4/23, Civil Rights Teams Project.

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