VICTIM WITNESS PROGRAM
The role of the Victim/Witness Advocates at the Cherokee County Solicitor-General’s Office is to be the voice of victims in the cases that we prosecute. Advocates serve as the liaison between the prosecutors and the victims and ensure that victims know the rights afforded to them through the Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights and the Georgia Constitution. Advocates also make sure that victims are made aware of the many resources available to them.
Services Provided:
Advocates are responsible for all victim related issues that arise within their assigned courtrooms. When conflicts come up and an Advocate must be taken off a case, the Director will either assign the case to herself or assign another Advocate. The services provided by Victim / Witness Advocates include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Explaining the nature of the Criminal Justice System (ex: civil vs. criminal, felony vs. misdemeanor);
- Explaining the role of the victim advocate;
- Explaining special conditions of bond (SCOBs);
- Explaining the Victim’s Bill of Rights and the Victim Compensation Program;
- Providing a “road map” for the future of the case to the victim(s);
- Explaining different types of hearings;
- Identifying/reviewing community resources based on the needs of the victim;
- Attending court hearings either with the victim, or in order to later relay information back to the victim at the conclusion of court hearings;
- Providing written Victim Impact Statements and restitution requests to the victim or their family;
- Reviewing all plea offers with the victim before a prosecutor makes the offer to the defendant.
Kayla N. Cleveland, Director |
678-493-6380 |
High profile cases; Vehicular Homicide; Ordinance Cases; 72-hour Hearings |
Amanda Hall, VWA |
678-493-6392 |
Courtroom 1B, Judge Jordan |
Rebekah Allen-Smith, VWA |
678-493-6399 |
Courtroom 1D, Judge Morris; Spanish-speaking Victims |
Emily Cipra, VWA |
678-493-6390 |
Courtroom 1C, Judge Helhoski |