The Victim/Witness Program is designed to assist victims and witnesses, especially those of violent crimes, with their involvement in the criminal justice system.  The key aspect of the program is having someone make personal contact with the victims and witnesses to ensure that their rights are not overlooked and to determine if any special assistance is needed.

Mission

• Minimize the frustrations associated with coming to court by providing as much information as possible about the criminal justice process and providing referrals to the proper community agencies.
• Ensure that the rights of victims and witnesses are not overlooked.
• Make personal contact with victims and witnesses to determine if any special assistance is needed.

The Commonwealth Attorney's Office houses and administers the Victim/Witness Program with primary functional responsibility resting with the Victim/Witness Coordinator.  The goal of the program is to make the often stressful, confusing, and inconvenient court process as positive of an experience as possible by offering a wide range of services to victims and witnesses.  The services provided include answering questions concerning the case and court procedures, assisting victims in filing for Crime Victims' Compensation for personal injury, arranging for transportation and lodging if necessary, and referring victims/witnesses to the proper community service agencies and counseling if needed.  A Police Officer is assigned to serve as a liaison between the Division and the Program Coordinator.  It is the Officer's responsibility to identify all violent crimes that are reported to the Division, forward copies of the crime reports to the Victim/Witness Coordinator, and verify that the investigating officer completed the Victims' Compensation Police Report Form that will aid the victim in receiving financial assistance from the State.

For more information, please email chiefsoffice@hampton.gov or call (757) 727-6510.