Victim Assistance Program - 318-327-1408

1. What is the Victim Assistance Program? The victim assistance program is designed to provide direct services to all victims of crime whose cases are being prosecuted by the Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office. To relieve prosecutors from having to respond to time consuming, repetitious questioning by victims and witnesses concerning aspects of the prosecution and judicial system. The coordinator is an advocate for the rights of the victim, both in the courtroom and in the office and ensures that their rights are honored without interfering with the effective and efficient prosecution of criminals, to form an approach to victims that is based on compassion, dignity and respect; the coordinator works only with victims and family members of victims that is based on compassion, dignity and respect; the coordinator works only with victims and family members of victims and whose duties include, but are not limited to: 1. Inform victims of impending court dates, changes in case status, parole hearings.
2. Provide victims with Impact statement forms, victims of crime and Victim Assistance La. Dept. of Corrections Victim Notification Request forms, and other appropriate materials.
3. Assist victims with form preparation when necessary.
4. Provide community resource referrals (i.e., counseling, shelter, law enforcement contacts, crime victims reparations, medical, etc.,)
5. Guide victims through criminal justice process.
6. Liaison between victims and prosecutors.
7. Establish rapport between District Attorney's Office and Victims.
8. Offer informal meetings with victims.
9. To increase public confidence in the criminal justice system.

WHO IS ASSIGNED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY?
Primarily cases that have caused grave mental anguish (i.e., homicide, rape, kidnaping, child abuse).

NOTIFICATION TO VICTIM?
Provide victims with Victim Impact Statement forms, Victims of Crime & Victim Assistance Program pamphlets, La Dept of Corrections Victim Notification Request forms, and other appropriate materials.

SUPPORTS TO THE VICTIM?
Provide moral support and familiarity with court system, escourt victims to court, offer measure of protection from harassment by defendant and/or others in the courthouse; prepare victims for court, offer pre?trial consultation and courtroom visit.

EDUCATION?
Provides information to the community about victims rights and works with various community groups on behalf of victims of crime. Encourage victims to participate in the criminal justice process; encourage them to remain involved.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE ARRAIGNMENT?
In some cases, i.e.; homicide and rape contact is made with victim and/or family members either in person or by phone informing them that the program exist and who to contact.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE HEARINGS?
A letter is mailed either to the victim or parents of a victim (if the victim is a minor), informing them of the hearing date, at that time the Victim Impact Statement is enclosed in the letter and they are asked to contact the coordinator before the hearing, which will allow time to get with the ADA to see if any motions have been filed so that they will not spend unnecessary time in the courtroom.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE TRIAL?
Coordinate victims for court appearances, prepare victims for court, offer measure of protection from harassment by defendant and/or others in courthouse, escort victims to court in a means of providing moral support and familiarity with court system.