Victim Witness Assistance
Victim Advocate Contact ListThe United States Attorney's Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program was developed to ensure that victims of federal crimes are treated with fairness and respect as they journey through the federal criminal justice system. This program carries out the mandates of the Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982, the Victims' Rights and Restitution Act of 1990, the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990, the Justice for All Act of 2004 and other victim related legislation. These victim/witness assistance and protection laws apply to all victims and witnesses of federal crime who have suffered physical, financial, or emotional trauma. A variety of notification and assistance services are provided to victims and witnesses of federal crime by our Victim/Witness Assistance Program staff, Assistant United States Attorneys and other U.S. Attorney's Office staff, with the assistance of federal and tribal law enforcement agencies. When a federal criminal case reaches the prosecution stage of the criminal justice process, notification services are provided concerning the status of the case involving the victim. Victims are notified of all case events through the Department of Justice Victim Notification System (VNS). They may be notified by letter and/or by calling the VNS automated call center. The notifications that may be made include the release or detention status of an offender pending judicial proceedings; the filing of charges against a suspected offender; the scheduling, including scheduling changes and/or continuances, of each court proceeding that the victim or witness is either required to attend or entitled to attend; the acceptance of a plea of guilty or the rendering of a verdict after trial; the opportunity to present to the court in the presentence report a victim impact statement containing information concerning any harm, including financial, social, psychological and physical harm, done to or loss suffered by the victim of the crime; the date set for sentencing if the offender is found guilty; and the sentence imposed and entry of the victim into the Bureau of Prisons' Victim and Witness Notification Program. Our victim witness program staff also provide personal support and assistance to victims and witnesses during court appearances by assisting with travel and lodging arrangements, court orientation and trial preparation. Each of our offices has a toll-free number to allow victims and witnesses to easily contact our victim/witness staff. If needed, referrals are provided to existing agencies for shelter, counseling, compensation, and other types of assistance services. The advocates also participate in the Multi Disciplinary Teams (MDT) on each reservation where they meet with the Assistant U.S. Attorney and other professionals to discuss child abuse allegations and cases and determine the appropriate steps to ensure the well-being of the child victim and the best way to proceed with the investigation and prosecution of the suspect. A variety of informational materials are available to assist crime victims and witnesses through the federal justice process. Topics include: Victims and Witnesses: Understanding Your Rights and the Federal Court System Dealing With Crisis Surviving Sexual Assault: What You Should Know Federal Domestic Violence Laws - What You Should Know About Restitution Payments to Victims Preparing To Testify Victim Witness Handbook for Child Support Enforcement Cases Learning All About Court: An activity book for children going to Federal court with a corresponding video A Journey Through the Federal Justice System: a video explaining the federal justice process. All these educational materials are available from any of our victim witness staff. Each victim/witness advocate has been assigned to assist victims and witnesses from specific reservations. Please call the advocates directly or email Victim Assist if you have questions or need their assistance. |
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Victim Advocate Contact List
Reservation | VW Advocate/Office | Phone Number | |
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Cheyenne River Crow Creek Lower Brule Rosebud Standing Rock |
Jo Lepkowski Pierre SD |
USASD.VictimAssist@usdoj.gov | 800-603-8157 605-945-4558 |
Pine Ridge |
Ace Crawford Rapid City SD |
USASD.VictimAssist@usdoj.gov | 800-603-3750 605-341-1915 |
Flandreau Santee Sisseton-Wahpeton Yankton |
Kelli Peterson Sioux Falls SD |
USASD.VictimAssist@usdoj.gov | 800-804-6790 605-357-2325 |