The Victim/Witness Program provides victims and witnesses of crimes with emotional support during the aftermath of the crime and through the court process. They provide crisis intervention and referral, an understanding of the criminal justice system, court escort service, and assistance in filing crime compensation claims and with restitution requests, parole notification, and other related activities.

In 1983, legislation was passed (13835.5 PC) "to develop methods to reduce the trauma and insensitive treatment that victims and witnesses may experience in the wake of crime, since all to often citizens who become involved with the criminal justice system, either as victims or witnesses to crime, are further victimized by that system." With the passage of this legislation, the Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance Center began operation under the Probation Department's umbrella in July 1984. Today, each county in California has a victim/witness assistance center as well as the City of Los Angeles.

Our program began with a budget of about $40,000 and provided services to only a dozen or so victims annually. Today, the program has grown substantially and serves hundreds of victims and witnesses annually. It has grown in size, both in terms of its budget and staff. Funds from the state Victim Assistance Fund and local county general fund money support the program today. It is one of eight Probation-based programs left in the state and Nevada County Probation Department and the citizens of Nevada County can be proud of the services the Center provides to victims and witnesses of crime.

In 1934, U. S. Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardoza wrote in the case of Snyder v. Massachusetts "Justice, though due the accused, is due the accuser also. The concept of fairness must not be strained till it is narrowed to a filament. We are to keep the balance true." While victims' rights and issues have come a long way from the 1930's and its origin as an outgrowth of the civil rights and women's movements of the 1960's and early 1970's, the balance of justice is still weighted towards the defendant and much work is left to be done. Today, 33 states have passed Constitutional Amendments establishing a Victims' Bill of Rights, including California, which passed the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights in 1982.

The Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance Center has established the following vision and mission statements and guiding beliefs:

Vision Statement

To expand, enhance and develop comprehensive services for crime victims and witnesses in order that restoration is achieved to the fullest extent possible.

Mission Statement

In accordance with the statutory mandates as specified in Chapter 4, Article 2, Section 13835 of the California Penal Code, the Nevada County Victim/Witness Assistance Center has established the following mission:

"To reduce the trauma and insensitive treatment that victims and witnesses may experience in the wake of a crime by providing the mandated statutory services, as well as other comprehensive service interventions, to ensure that victims and witnesses who become involved in the criminal justice system are not further victimized by the system."

Our Guiding Beliefs & Principles

• We believe in the restoration of the victims' dignity, health, and resources.
• We believe that providing efficient and comprehensive intervention services to crime victims and witnesses in a professional and impartial manner will be instrumental to their recovery.
• We believe that providing information to victims and witnesses of their rights in order to afford them the benefits of these rights during their involvement in the criminal justice system will empower them in their recovery.
• We believe that by developing and implementing programs that outline crime prevention/education and embracing effective service interventions for victims and witnesses of crime, they will further prevent such victimization.
• We believe that by developing collaborative efforts with community advocacy agencies and other government programs, it will assure the most comprehensive delivery of services to our clients.
• We believe that by effectively and professionally interfacing with the Courts and other departments within the criminal justice system, more sensitive treatment of victims will be adopted.
• We believe the most valuable asset of our Victim/Witness Program is our employees.
• We believe in the continued personal and professional growth of our employees.