Victim/Witness Assistance Unit
Victim/Witness Assistance Unit
The Victim/Witness Assistance Unit was established to assist victims and witnesses of crime and their immediate family members throughout the judicial justice process.
Our mission is to serve as advocates for the enforcement of fundamental rights of crime victims and promote the belief that all victims and witnesses deserve to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect throughout the judicial process. All victims will be afforded, consistent with the law, the ability to choose their level of participation.
Services Provided
- Explanation of the Judicial System
- Case Information and notification
- Accompaniment to all court proceedings
- Preparation for court testimony
- Secure waiting room
- Assistance with written and/or oral victim impact statements
- Assistance with completion of restitution forms
- Court tours for children
- Assistance with filing compensation claims
- Referrals to community agencies
- Enrollment in notification program (adult offenders cases only)
- Assistance with receiving apology letters (juvenile offenders cases only)
All services are provided free of charge
Additional Information for Victims of Juvenile Crimes
Information and Resources
The Berks County Victim/Witness Assistance Unit is dedicated to supporting victims of crime. We feel that it is extremely important for every victim to know their rights.
As a victim of a crime, you are entitled to some form of compensation for your losses or damages as a direct result of a criminal act.
This flow chart will display the process of a criminal court case.
This may answer some questions you have about serving as a witness.
This service will allow crime victims to obtain timely information about the custody status of offenders in a county jail or state prison.
Learn how the Office of Victim Advocate can help you with an alternative mailing address to keep your actual home address out of public records.