Victim Witness Assistant

Under the supervision of the Chief Assistant Prosecutor and/or the Office Administrator, ensures implementation of victims’ rights as mandated by law, including attending court hearings, trials, and witness management. Provides crisis intervention and emotional support to victims and/or witnesses regarding criminal justice.

1. Sends informational packets to victims of crime to inform the victim of the charges filed and their rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. Provides victims with impact statement to complete and return if they choose to take advantage of their rights under law.
2. Informs victims, by letter, email or telephone, of court dates and actions taken. Ensures that statutory requirements regarding notification are fulfilled at each step during prosecution of the case.
3. Liaise with law enforcement agencies to gather victims contact information or next of kin information when necessary to establish contact and abide by the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.
4. Upon request, promptly forward victim contact information to the tether company to allow victim notifications to be enabled when an individual charged with a criminal offense is released from custody.
5. Scan pretrial release orders into the office file maintenance program for record-keeping. If the release order includes no-contact provisions, ensure victim is notified by mail or email regarding the terms of the order.
6. Advises victims of hearings and final dispositions which includes providing forms to be completed by the victim and assists with the preparation of such statements.
7. Upon conviction, provide victim impact statements, restitution documents, and victim contact information to various probation departments. Act as a liaison with local probation department during the duration of a defendant’s term of probation. Act as a liaison with local courts to provide victim information to facilitate restitution payments and future contact.
8. Enter court dates and other important information into case management system. Upon receipt of Judgement of Sentence and Order of Probation/Order of Disposition from court, accurately enter sentence/disposition information into the office file maintenance program. Mark non-public cases accordingly to maintain confidentiality. Assists victims in completing applications for compensation to recover some of the expenses incurred as a result of the crime. Provides victims with information that may assist in filing a claim.
9. Follow the appropriate procedures to obtain approval grant approval for fund allocation through Direct Victim Needs (DVN) and follow through to fulfill the victim’s specific needs.
10. Meets and/or assists victims in preparing for court and provides support by familiarizing them with the court process. Serves subpoenas to victims and to other witnesses outside of the office with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney.
11. Attends hearings and trials with victims as requested.
12. Upon receiving notification that a subpoena was unsuccessful in being served or delivered, promptly contact the victim or witness to obtain an updated address. Notify clerks to ensure the subpoena is reissued and sent to updated address.
13. Provide coverage for other advocates and witness management assistant when necessary.
14. Schedules appointments with the assistant prosecutors for victims and explains court procedures and their rights to these individuals.
15. Provides crisis intervention and assistance to victims in obtaining Personal Protection Orders, reporting threats, and shelter referrals or counseling.
16. May mentor interns, and volunteers, includes making work assignments and reviewing work products.
17. Coordinates travel, stay, and dining arrangements for witnesses attending court from outside the area.
18. Coordinates language interpreters for witnesses attending court and meetings. Utilizes Language Line to communicate with victims and witnesses when necessary.
19. Facilitate the collection and submission of medical release forms from victims, ensuring timely receipt of medical records. Collect and review restitution documents to provide to the court. Scan and upload various documents into office file maintenance program in a timely and accurate manner. Create detailed notes for each document received, confirming its scanning and placement into appropriate file.
20. May assist in grant reporting for the victim/witness unit. Participate in required continued training hours.
21. Serves on boards and councils to provide input on victim related issues. Makes presentations to community groups, local police departments, hospitals, and other organizations on victim’s rights and the County’s victim/witness program.
22. Regular attendance and punctuality are standards of performance required for this position.  

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to HIPAA and other privacy issues.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to, but not limited, to those in his/her job description.

(An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

Education:  A minimum of two years of college level coursework in criminal justice or a human services field is required.  

Experience:  A minimum of one year of experience in a Prosecutor’s office or other legal setting which would provide familiarity with the judicial system.  

Other Requirements:  None

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions. 

(The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)

Working Conditions:

• This position works in an indoor environment. There is no planned exposure to prominent lights, noises, odors, temperatures or weather conditions.
• This position is exposed to individuals in crisis. These individuals may suffer from mental or emotional illness, have violent tendencies or be unconcerned with their personal safety and hygiene.
• This position is exposed to individuals experiencing significant trauma which can lead advocate to experience secondary trauma on a daily basis.
• This position is exposed to individuals who are accused or convicted of criminal acts during court proceedings and outside of the courtroom. This position should maintain a high level of professionalism and composure while also prioritizing personal safety and well-being.
• This position is required to travel for meetings and appointments. Some appointments may be held at personal residences where levels of cleanliness and safety vary.

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, traverse, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position’s physical requirements require continuous stamina (more than 50%) sitting. This position’s physical requirements require regular stamina (21-50% of the time) traversing, typing, repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers. This position’s physical requirements require periodic stamina (5-20% of the time) standing, carrying, reaching, grasping and handling. This position’s physical requirements require little to no stamina (less than 5%) lifting, pushing, pulling, pinching.
• This position performs light work requiring the ability to exert 20 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)

April 2026

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