Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance
Foreword to the Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance (2011 ed.)
“Our core mission is to pursue justice for criminal acts, and that pursuit includes justice for the victims of and witnesses to crime. Every day, Department personnel encounter individuals harmed by crime or who witnessed others being harmed by crime. How we treat those individuals has a huge impact on their confidence in the criminal justice system and their ability to heal and recover from crime. When the Department is successful in identifying and convicting offenders, our victim assistance efforts help victims navigate an unfamiliar system, foster accountability, and find affirmation for their suffering. In situations where the Department is unable to identify a perpetrator or bring a perpetrator to justice, our outreach and assistance can help victims access the services they need to recover and help them understand the criminal justice response.”
“For several decades, crime victims’ laws have mandated that Department personnel provide victims with services and make our best efforts to see that victims are accorded their rights. To satisfy our statutory responsibilities, it is essential that Department personnel understand the legal mandates regarding victims and receive clear guidance about how to carry out those responsibilities. This updated edition of the Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance reflects current statutory provisions, recognizes the technological and legal changes that have taken place since the previous Guidelines were promulgated, and incorporates best practices that will benefit victims and enhance investigations and prosecutions. It is my hope that this tool will enhance our ability to vindicate victims’ rights and to provide victims with the services that they deserve.” (Eric H. Holder, Jr., Attorney General of the United States)
Links
Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance (LATEST, 2011)
Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance (ARCHIVE, 2005)