The criminal justice system long overlooked the rights and needs of crime victims and witnesses. In 1982, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office filled the void by establishing a Victim Witness Assistance Unit. The unit was later re-named the Office of Victim Witness Advocacy, and its primary focus became safeguarding the rights of crime victims and witnesses by complying with the Crime Victims Bill of Rights, which was codified in 1985, and the Attorney General’s Standards to Ensure the Rights of Crime Victims, which were promulgated in 1987.

The Office of Victim Witness Advocacy strives to minimize the inconvenience to victims and witnesses that may be occasioned by criminal prosecutions and to orient and familiarize victims and witnesses with the criminal justice system and process. One of the office’s most important functions is to notify victims/ witnesses about the status of their case as it proceeds through the criminal justice system. Letters are sent out at each stage of the criminal prosecution, which explain the proceeding and outline the results. Counselors are available to answer any questions victims/witnesses may have.

In addition to notifications, the Office of Victim Witness Advocacy is responsible for providing direct services to victims and witnesses, including, referrals for counseling, assistance with Victims of Crime Compensation Board (VCCB) applications and Victim Impact statements and accompaniment to court. The office has published a Victim-Witness Guide to assist victims and witnesses in understanding the criminal justice system. A separate brochure explaining the Juvenile Justice system is also available. Both pamphlets are in Spanish and English.

If a victim or witness is called to court to testify or to the Prosecutor’s Office to be interviewed, a victim/witness waiting room has been comfortably furnished with a television, VCR, games, toys and magazines. Lunch vouchers and parking vouchers are given to victims and witnesses.

A Coordinator heads the Office of Victim Witness Advocacy, assisted by a staff of bi-lingual counselors. The Office of Victim Witness Advocacy works with the Multi-Disciplinary Coordinator, SANE Coordinator, the Juvenile Victim Counselor and the Domestic Violence counselors to provide a full panoply of services to victims of, and witnesses to, crime in Passaic County.

Crime Victims Bill of Rights

Services Offered by the Office of Victim Witness Advocacy