What are the responsibilities and job description for the Victim Rights Assistant position at St Joseph County?
General Summary:
The Victim Rights Assistant provides direct support, information, and advocacy to victims of crime, ensuring victims are informed of their rights, and provides information regarding community resources available; responds to victims’ questions concerning the criminal justice process, safety planning, and navigating court proceedings. This position reports to the Victim Rights Coordinator and to the Prosecuting Attorney.
Essential Functions:
- Sends initial victims’ rights information packets, including assembling, copying and preparing information for mailing. Prepares and mails information to inform the victim of the charges filed and their rights under the Crime Victim Rights Act. Provides victims with forms to complete and return if they choose to take advantage of their rights under law.
- Ensures that victims are informed, by letter or telephone, of court dates and actions taken. Assists Victim Rights Coordinator in ensuring statutory requirements regarding notification are fulfilled at each step during prosecution of the case.
- Assists victims in completing applications for compensation to recover some of the expenses incurred as a result of the crime. Provides victims with information that may assist in filing a claim. Serves as liaison between the court and insurance companies, medical institutions, employers and various other members of the community according to state statute.
- Assesses responses from victims to determine need for additional assistance or referrals to community resources. Records victim responses in file and on computer and notifies prosecutor as necessary. Sorts, classifies, scans, files and retrieves correspondence, reports, records and other documents. Updates records and files for each contact with victim or case action.
- Performs various functions as delegated by the Victim Services Coordinator such as:
- Assisting victims in preparing for court and providing support by familiarizing them with the court process.
- Attending hearings with victims as requested.
- Assist with arranging transportation, lodging, meals, and personal needs assessments for victims subpoenaed for court hearings.
- Assist with crisis intervention and refer victims to domestic assault, mental health, emergency shelter, and other human service agencies.
- Facilitate the gathering of restitution information from victims for submission to the court prior to sentencing.
- Coordinate appointments with the assistant prosecutors for victims and explain court procedures and their rights to these individuals.
- Notify victims of final case disposition and provide information on post-sentencing rights.
- Assist with protecting the confidentiality of victims pursuant to statute and policy.
- Acts as liaison between the office, law enforcement agencies, the court and other organizations; assists with organizing special events; and completes required training online or in-person as directed.
- Performs other duties as required.
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)