Where does a victim or family member go for information and assistance?
The Criminal Justice System has vast information resources, but there are wide gaps in accessibility by victims and families of crimes. There is often an inability to get copies of police reports, a lack of access to law enforcement personnel for specific answers, and complexities and slowness of the criminal court process. Often families can’t understand what their role and rights are as the family members of a murder (or other crime) victim.
When you are a grieving or concerned family member it’s difficult to even think clearly enough to search for information.
You need to know:
- Where can I go to initiate the process?
- Who can assist in this information or records search – whom do I trust?
- How can this information be organized and presented and to whom?
- Do my legal rights ever expire? When?
- Do I need the services of a professional investigator or attorney?
- How do I find a reliable and affordable investigator or attorney?
This Resource Center will help bridge these information and resource gaps.
We are available in person, by telephone, on-line, in group sessions, and/or with home visits, to answer your questions, in order to provide you with the information you need to take next steps.
No question is wrong, or too simple, or too complex to ask, or for us to try to find the answer for you.
Should you have any of these or other questions, please contact us and we will respond as soon as possible.