Contact Person: Debbie
Underwood
In case of Emergency call (843)792-4196
Phone # (843) 792-1986 Fax # (843) 792-6650
The Crime Victim's Act of
1997 requires specific action to be taken by law enforcement and the courts
for certain types of crime victims. All law enforcement agencies are required
to have a victim advocate in place. Law enforcement based advocates are involved
in the investigative process to advocate for the rights of the victim, and
to act as a liaison between the victim and the agency. This keeps victims
more involved in the criminal justice process.
A "victim" is defined as a person who suffers direct or threatened
physical, psychological, or financial harm as the result of the commission
or attempted commission of a criminal offense. A criminal offense is
an offense against a person or against the property of a person when the value
of the property, stolen or destroyed is in excess of one thousand dollars
($1,000.00).
When an officer
takes a report or makes an arrest involving a victim and crime as described
above, the officer will complete the victim's information sheet and explain
the victim's rights statement on the back side of their copy. The victim's
information sheet is turned into the Department Victim Advocate.
Upon request, the victim
advocate will assist victims in applying for compensation and other financial,
social service, and counseling assistance, intervene on behalf of victims
with creditors, employers, etc., make a reasonable attempt to inform the victim
of status and progress of the case and investigation through disposition in
summary court, referral to the Department of Juvenile Justice, or through
final transmittal of general sessions warrant to prosecutor notify victims
of the arrest, detention, bond hearing, pretrial hearing or other court dates
make a reasonable attempt to notify victims prior to release of juvenile to
parent/guardian inform the department of a need for transportation of victims
and/or witnesses to and from court and protection at court. Debbie Underwood
the Victim Advocate for the Department of Public Safety, at MUSC. She
can be reached at (843) 792-1986, or (843) 792-4196. E-mail wagenbrd@musc.edu
.
