Criminal Justice Case Study

In order to help, a service provider has to know how to help. It is important for a victim services provider to understand the criminal justice system because they interact on so many levels with the victim(s) of crime. As an advocate and service provider, one needs to be knowledgeable on the services provided while also being able to guide them through what to expect of the criminal justice system on a more personal level. What happens during a criminal case can be very confusing for a victim or witness. A victim services provider is the link to information for a victim a lot of the time. They can update on the status of the case, notify of hearing dates, make referrals to available resources, and assist in determining the best options for
In my own experience, I had three separate prosecutors before an actual hearing was held. That was recalling and speaking with three different people I knew nothing about who only have my file with my case in front of them The victim’s advocate knows that file by heart, trying to keep one calm but consistent. They don’t convey this in television. There are only one or two prosecutors, not offices full of them. There is not soft-hearted constant for the victim to rely on. Another major difference is the amount of cases that actually go to a jury trial. Plea bargains and trial by judge is more prevalent than ever portrayed on television. And once a plea bargain is decided upon by the prosecutor and defendant, the victim loses the chance to be heard, relay their side of the story, or have the perpetrator stand before a jury of their peers. Their only way to express how their life has been affected comes by a victim statement or
Anyone is allowed to be present if it isn’t a closed court room, and multiple cases are tried in consecutive order, back-to-back. Also, depending on the crime, there may be set time at the beginning or very last part of the morning or afternoon, sessions. One might find themselves sitting in a room full of offenders waiting in line to stand before a judge for a list of different reasons, such as their sentencing. It is after this that the victim’s impact statement or allocution is read. There is no privacy when read aloud to the entire court room. This can be powerful, and another thing a victim services provider can assist a victim with. They will read it for someone if they are too nervous to read it