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Notice from
the Solicitor
The Victim/Witness Assistance
Program of the Ninth Judicial Circuit has served crime victims and witnesses
since its inception in March of 1981.
The Victim/Witness Assistance
Program is involved in community awareness and education. The program staff
often speaks in the community on victim/witness issues.
The participation of victims and
witnesses is vital to the effective administration of justice in the Ninth
Judicial Circuit (Charleston and Berkeley Counties). In 1984, South Carolina
General Assembly approved a program solely for the aid of victims and
witnesses. The overall goal of the Victim/Witness Assistance Program is to
balance the scales of justice ensuring that victims and witnesses receive
appropriate legal attention and supportive services. Victims and witnesses
often feel intimidated and inconvenienced by the criminal justice system. The
advocates working in the program are trained to provide necessary services to
those who require support from this program.
Too often in our criminal justice
system, the rights of the crime victim have taken a backseat to the rights of
the perpetrator. To correct this, our office is charged with enforcing the
South Carolina Victim and Witness Bill of Rights. We stand ready to assist if
you should become a victim of a criminal act, or are a witness to one. Our goal
is to minimize the personal hardship and inconvenience which may result from
your interaction with the criminal justice system.
We pledge to do our part in
assisting you, and ask for your cooperation in seeking justice against those who
have violated our laws.
Scarlett A. Wilson
Solicitor |
