It happens every day. It happens in homes, at the park, in the streets, at workplaces and schools. It can happen to you, your family, friends or acquaintances, co-workers, churches, business owners, and your next-door neighbor. It comes in all shapes and sizes and it brings all kinds of consequences to the one it touches. Crime.
We all know someone who has been affected by crime, but how can we help?
25 years ago we began to work toward a plan to provide victims of crime with the help they need and the justice they deserve. It began with the Crime Victim's Rights Act of 1984. The Crime Victim's Rights Act empowered victims by affording them certain rights under the law. For example, the right to be notified of court hearings and be present, the right to consult with the prosecutor, the right to have their voice heard by giving a written or oral impact statement to the Court, and the right to restitution.
The Crime Victim's Rights Act has been modified over the years and covers a wide range of topics. However, today our mission is the same, to pursue justice for crime victims by assisting them through the judicial process and doing our best to protect them from re-victimization during that process. This is achieved through the dedication and hard work of prosecutors, victim advocates, judges, government officials, police officers, volunteers and others.
This week the Lenawee County Prosecutor's Office is recognizing 25 years of the Crime Victim's Rights Act. We are here to help you! If you or someone you know is a crime victim and is in need of information or assistance relating to victim's rights, please contact our Crime Victim Unit. We are located in the Rex B Martin Judicial Building - 2nd Floor. You may also reach us by telephone at (517)264-4641 or via email at crimevictimunit@lenawee.mi.us
We remain firm in our commitment to assist victims of crime and will continue to strive for excellence in our service to the citizens of Lenawee County.
