The Victim-Witness Advocacy Unit provides services and assistance to crime victims and witnesses in an effort to ensure that their rights are protected with the same vigor exercised in protecting the constitutional rights of the accused. The primary objective of the Victim-Witness Unit is to provide victims and witnesses with easy access to information about their cases and provide them with support services throughout the prosecution. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:4B-36, certain services must be afforded to victims and witnesses involved in indictable offenses. However, in recent years, we have also attempted to enhance services to victims whose cases have been remanded to Municipal Court.
Our secondary objective is to educate and share resources with our colleagues within the Criminal Justice System. The Director/Coordinator is responsible for coordinating victim services within the County therefore affiliations are formed with private non-profit organizations, special interest groups and community representatives who have a common goal to provide comprehensive services to crime victims.
The Victim-Witness Unit is staffed by a Director/Coordinator and support personnel. Student interns occasionally provide part-time assistance.
Pamela Schott, Director
Barbara Barbolini, Victim / Witness Advocate
Lucille Burgener, Victim / Witness Advocate
Pat Melander, Victim / Witness Advocate
Melissa Underwood, Victim / Witness Advocate
Alison Sopronyi, Victim / Witness Advocate
Candace Vengersky, Victim / Witness Advocate
Phone: 732/ 431-6459 /
Fax: 732/ 845-2005
Services Provided:
Crisis Intervention and Advocacy Services
The Victim-Witness Advocates are trained to help victims and witnesses cope with the psychological trauma caused by criminal acts. We attempt to help those persons become more comfortable with their role in the process. Very often the impact of the crime is not fully realized until days or months following the event. Therefore it is crucial that we provide the emotional support that will aid in their recovery and enable them to participate in the prosecution of their case.
Written and Oral Case Status Notification
Case status notification letters are sent to victims and witnesses throughout prosecution, during the parole process and upon the expiration of prison terms. Case status letters frequently generate telephone inquires which give us an opportunity to provide basic explanations of the criminal proceedings and the caller's role in that proceeding. The following events generate automated case status notification letters:
- New Cases: The Initial Contact letter informs victims that the case has been received. A Victim Impact Statement is solicited for the case screening process. Case screening determines whether a case stays in Superior Court or is remanded to Municipal Court.
- Pre-Grand Jury Remand Notification
- Administrative Dismissal
- Grand Jury Remand
- Grand Jury Dismissal (no bill)
- Indictment Returned (true bill)
- Acceptance into the Pre-Trial Intervention Program (PTI)
- Termination from or Completion of the Pre-Trial Intervention Program
- Negotiated Plea on all Charges
- Released on Bail/Conditions of Bail
- Fugitive Status
- Court Dismissal
- Sentencing Date
- Sentence Imposed
- Parole Registry/Parole Eligibility
- Mistrial/retrial
- Mistrial/dismissal
- Released from Prison/Expiration of Sentence/Furlough/Community Release Programs
Direct Services:
Victim Advocates will explain the Criminal Justice System and provide other "Direct Services" to victims and their families. "Direct Services" include but are not limited to the following:
Advocacy on behalf of the victims and witnesses within the criminal justice system
Victim input is solicited in the form of a written Victim Impact Statement, however witness input is verbal. The needs of the victims and witnesses are relayed to the appropriate persons.
Assistance with completion of the Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) Claim Applications
Victims of violent crime including Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Sex Offenses, Death by Auto, and Robbery who incur at least $100 out-of-pocket expenses as a result of a crime may be eligible for VCCO Compensation. Compensation is awarded for funeral expenses, counseling fees, loss of support and lost wages.
Crisis counseling and subsequent referrals for therapeutic counseling
The Director/Coordinator and Advocates are trained in the area of crisis intervention. Our extensive counseling referral list enables us to make referrals to appropriate professiionals who specialize in working with victims and are conveniently located. Referrals are also made to specific support groups.
HIV Testing of Defendants
Victims who are exposed to a defendant's bodily fluids such as saliva, blood or semen, or victims who were pricked with a hypodermic needle may ask the Court to order the defendant to submit to a HIV or AIDS test. The Victim-Witness staff will help facilitate that process.
Registration with the N.J. State Parole Board
Victims of first and second degree offenses are given the opportunity to register with the Parole Board Victim Services Unit. Registration with the State Parole Board will ensure notification of an inmate's request to leave the prison population and serve the remainder of their sentence in a community based halfway house. The registration also ensures that the State Parole Board's Victim Services Unit will solicit written or oral input regarding the defendant's release on parole.
Prison Release Notifications
The Victim-Witness staff can assist with finding out where the defendant is housed, how much time has been served and the anticipated parole eligibility date. In addition the Prosecutor's Office notifies victims and the arresting agency of the inmate's release date if they are registered for notification.
Notice Of Appeals
Registration with the Division of Criminal Justice - Appellate Bureau will ensure notification of an appeal and the outcome. The Victim Witness Advocates or Director can assist with this registration.
Referrals for emergency financial assistance
Victims may be referred to County agencies that provide emergency funds that meet their specific needs.
Restitution Assistance
Victims are assisted in gathering the documentation necessary to support their requests for court ordered restitution.
Recovery of personal property
When the actual items are not needed as evidence for trial a request is submitted to the prosecuting attorney to return the property to its owner. If the attorney wishes to retain the property for trial the request to release will be processed at a later date.
School, creditor, employer or insurance company intervention
Intervention is provided to minimize the problems the victims and witnesses may experience as a result of participating in the prosecution of a case.
Crime prevention orientation
Victims and witnesses who report subsequent harassment or intimidation receive orientation about the remedies available. They also receive orientation on ways to avoid future victimization. When necessary victims are referred to their local police department crime prevention officers for practical steps they can take to keep their homes and themselves safe.
Child care services
On-site child care is provided for persons who are subpoenaed to testify.
Transportation assistance
Prosecutor's agents provide transportation for court related appearances
Accompaniment
This service is provided during investigative interviews, trial or grand jury preparation meetings and during the trial. For information or assistance call: 732/ 431-6459
Crime Victim's Bill of Rights
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:4B-36 crime victims are entitled to certain basic rights:
- To be treated with dignity and compassion by the criminal justice system;
- To be free from intimidation;
- To medical assistance if, in the judgment of the law enforcement agency, assistance appears necessary;
- To make at least one telephone call from the police station provided the call is reasonable in both length and location called;
- To have inconveniences associated with participation in the criminal justice process minimized to the fullest extent possible;
- To be informed about the Criminal Justice Process;
- To be informed about available remedies, financial assistance, and social services;
- To submit a written statement about the impact of the crime to a representative of the County Prosecutor's Office which shall be considered prior to the prosecutor's final decision concerning whether formal criminal charges will be filed;
- To be advised of case progress and final disposition;
- To be provided a secure, but not necessarily separate, waiting area during court proceedings;
- To be notified if presence in court is not needed;
- To the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence;
- To be compensated for their loss whenever possible; and
- To make an in-person statement directly to the Sentencing Court concerning the impact of the crime. This statement is to be made in addition to the statement permitted for inclusion in Probation Department's Presentence Report.
Victim Assistance Resources
Financial Assistance:
- Local welfare offices are set up in each municipality. They provide financial assistance and food stamps to eligible recipients. Contact the Borough Hall in your town for further information.
- County Welfare provides financial assistance, health benefits and food stamps to families with dependent children. Call: Monmouth County Division of Social Services (MCDSS), 732/ 431-6000.
- The Mercy Center provides financial assistance for emergency housing; they also sponsor a food pantry. Call: 732/ 774-9397.
- The Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) provides financial assistance for crime victims who have incurred medical expenses as a result of their criminal victimization. The VCCO will also pay lost wages, burial expenses, and counseling fees. VCCO information can be obtained by calling Toll Free 877-658-2221 or contact the Monmouth County Victim Witness Advocacy Unit
Domestic Violence Programs:
- 180 (Formerly the Women's Center of Monmouth County) 732/ 264-4111
- Providence House of Ocean County 732/ 244-8259
- Women Aware of Middlesex County 732/ 937-9525
24-Hour Hotline: 732/ 249-4504
General Information:
If you are a crime victim who has questions about services in your area, contact your County Prosecutor's Office/Victim-Witness Advocacy Unit:
- Atlantic County 609/ 645-5808
- Bergen County 973/ 646-2057
- Burlington County 609/ 265-5048
- Camden County 609/ 225-8431
- Cape May County 609/ 465-1163
- Cumberland County 609/ 453-0486 Ext.517
- Essex County 973/ 621-4707
- Gloucester County 609/ 384-5577
- Hudson County 973/ 795-6508
- Hunterdon County 732/ 788-1403
- Mercer County 609/ 989-6428
- Middlesex County 732/ 745-3394
- Monmouth County 732/ 431-6459
- Morris County 973/ 285-6200 Ext.6309
- Ocean County 732/ 929-2195
- Passaic County 973/ 881-4340
- Salem County 609/ 935-7510
- Somerset County 732/ 575-3360
- Sussex County 973/ 383-1570 Ext.15
- Union County 732/ 527-4596
- Warren County 732/ 475-2663
