Victim-Witness Assistance Program

The mission of the Victim-Witness Assistance Program is to provide quality and compassionate assistance to victims and witnesses of crime in Fulton County who are involved with the criminal justice system at the Superior Court level. To accomplish this mission, the Program is staffed by professional advocates and counselors and utilizes the support of interns from local colleges and universities.We assist approximately

10,000 clients a year.

Under the "Victims Bill of Rights," the District Attorney's Office is required to provide notification and other basic services to crime victims. Prosecutors are responsible for informing victims of all court dates as well as the status of a case from the time of the initial charging decision to final disposition. Some victims are also entitled to compensation. Through this Program, the office ensures that victims are aware that compensation may be available to them and that they receive the assistance they need to apply.

The Victim-Witness Assistance Program provides a variety of services designed to meet the needs of crime victims, witnesses and their families. Case information as well as explanations of and information about the criminal justice system are made available. Members of our staff also provide clients with an orientation to the courtroom setting as well as short-term counseling and can make referrals to community agencies when long-term therapy is necessary.

Criminal Investigations Division

The criminal investigations division provides support and resources to Assistant District Attorneys during the prosecution of a criminal case. The division's Investigators essential duties are to assist the attorney in the prosecution of a criminal case. An Investigator's duties are often diverse in nature. Investigators must locate and interview victims and witnesses, draft subpoenas and search warrants, obtain and review police reports from various Law Enforcement Agencies, confirm and ensure witness cooperation for trials, prepare bench warrants, and any other duties that will aid the Prosecutor as they present his or her case. The investigator provides the Prosecutor with a quick investigative resource capable reaching out beyond the limits of a single judicial circuit. Such a capabilities become necessary when Assistant District Attorneys need assistance in the preparation of cases, location of witnesses, and process and service search warrants outside of Fulton County.

The Investigations Division is composed of professional law enforcement personnel who provide a functioning liaison to the various police agencies (local, state, and federal), which operate daily in Fulton County and other metro Atlanta areas. The investigators employed with the division have a wealth of experience that includes backgrounds in local, state, and federal law enforcement. Out greatest strength, however, lies in our commitment to personal and professional excellence. Through this commitment the Criminal Investigation Division continues to strive to obtain its most important goal, to provide a safer community for the citizens of Fulton County.

Training Unit

Under the supervision of the Deputy District Attorney for Administration and Training, an intensive "new attorney training" class is offered once each year for approximately ten weeks. All assistant district attorneys who have begun employment with the office in the proceeding year are required to complete the class. Topics include office policy and procedures, ethics and professionalism, pre-trial motions, plea negotiations and recommendations, trial preparation, and prosecutorial essentials such as jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examinations of witnesses, and closing arguments. The class concludes with a mock jury selection and team trial.

In addition, other specialized training is provided including updates on state law, guest speakers from agencies such as the Board of Pardons and Paroles who may advise trial attorneys on current policy, classes in computerized legal research, specialized training for particular types of crimes or trials and workshops on Sensitivity and Cultural Diversity.

Public Affairs Dept.

The Public Affairs Department is responsible for all media relations and public information functions and serves as the District Attorney's primary liaison with the news media. While information regarding pending criminal cases must be safeguarded in order to ensure effective prosecution of felony defendants, this need must be balanced with the public's right to know. The Public Affairs Department helps to ensure not only the accuracy of information released to the media from this office, but also facilitates the ease and timeliness with which the Office is able to make this information available. Significant national media

coverage facilitated by Public Affairs in recent years has included segments on "Dateline NBC" and "America's Most Wanted."

In addition to media relations, the Department is responsible for the production of a variety of printed materials such as brochures for the Victim-Witness Assistance Program, community newsletters, informational pamphlets, and the Office’s annual report.

The Public Affairs Department also works with Community Affairs to coordinate and present the District Attorney's annual "Voice for Victims" award given in recognition of outstanding service to victims of crime in Fulton County. Public Affairs works with Community Affairs on other as-needed special events throughout the year.

Community Affairs

The District Attorney’s Community Affairs Department acts as the primary liaison with the community and oversees a variety of crime prevention programs.

The Community Affairs Department represents the District Attorney at community gatherings, forums, Neighborhood Planning Unit meetings, senior citizens facilities, meetings with other elected officials, and a variety of other events. The department also handles requests for information from the community and keeps citizens abreast of the status of various cases pending in the Office.

Community Affairs oversees both the Junior District Attorneys Program and Project Legal Lives, the Office’s two educational outreach programs targeting school children.

The Community Affairs Department also works with Public Affairs Department to coordinate and present the annual "Voice for Victims" award given in recognition of outstanding service to victims of crime in Fulton County as well as other special events throughout the year.