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Victim Witness

Victim Witness Coordination Unit

Mission: To respond to the needs of and uphold the rights of victims and witnesses.

The Victim-Witness Coordination Unit works to ensure that office policies comply with federal victims' rights laws and encourages the fair treatment and participation of victims in the criminal justice process. The Unit provides current case status information and referral services for crime victims and witnesses.

Being the victim of, or a witness to, a crime can be a difficult, even devastating experience. Victims and witnesses may feel frustrated, confused or overwhelmed trying to negotiate the unfamiliar ways of the justice system. The Victim-Witness Coordination Unit exists to provide support and assistance to victims and witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system.

Justice For All Act

We will make our best efforts to ensure you are accorded the rights described. You can seek the advice of an attorney with respect to these rights.

However, the Victim-Witness Coordination Unit goes further than just enforcing these rights and providing notification to victims and witnesses. It also exists to provide:

  1. Information on what to expect after a crime has been committed and referrals to local resources that offer assistance in coping with the effects of a crime.
  2. Information on what to expect from the justice system and how it works, answer any questions regarding the role a victim/witness plays, and accompany the victim/witness to court if requested.
  3. Intervention, upon request, with employers, creditors, and other service agencies.
  4. Assistance in applying for Crime Victims' Compensation, if eligible.
  5. Assistance with Victim Impact Statements to the sentencing judge.
  6. Assistance with the return of property being held as evidence.
  7. Assistance in accessing the Victim Notification System (VNS). If a person is identified as a victim in a federal case, he/she will have access to the national automated case status information system called VNS. This system provides access to ongoing case status updates from the arrest of an offender throughout his/her prison sentence. Access to VNS is limited to victims who have received a confidential PIN from a federal law enforcement agency or the United States Attorney's Office.

Note: The Victim-Witness Unit cannot represent anyone personally or provide legal advice or direct compensation. However, it will advocate on the behalf of a victim/witness as far as the law allows. If you have been a victim of a federal crime or have been called as a government witness in a federal criminal proceeding, and/or if you have questions about your appearance or the status of the criminal case, please contact the Victim-Witness Coordination Unit at the e-mail address below.

You can also contact the United States Attorney's Office at 618-628-3700.

Contact Info:
usails.vw.ils@usdoj.gov You may also contact Julie Swanston, Victim Witness Coordinator, at 618-628-3700.

Cases

The following cases have been designated as large victim cases. Updates are available by clicking on the case name.

Links

To check the location of the defendant: www.bop.gov

VNS website: www.Notify.USDOJ.Gov

Victims' Rights Ombudsman: www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/vr/index.html

IL Attorney General's Crime Victim Compensation Program: www.ag.state.il.us/victims/victimcomp.html

National Criminal Justice Referral Service: NewsFromOVC@ncjrs.gov

National Center for Victims of Crime: www.ncvc.org

National Organization for Victims of Crime: www.trynova.org

Victim Rights Week

The theme of the 2006 National Crime Victim Rights Week was "Victim Rights: Strength in Unity". The St. Louis Metropolitan Victim Rights Week Committee planned a kick-off event for April 23, 2006 at the Eads Bridge, St. Louis, MO. Participants from the MO side and IL side of the bridge each marched to the middle for a program on victim rights. The United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of IL was a sponsor of this event. Photos here please