The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office realizes that for many persons, being a victim or witness to a crime is their first experience with the criminal justice system. While emphasis of the system has been on the investigation and prosecution of crime, all too often in the past the innocent victims and witnesses have been overlooked. In an effort by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office to reduce this problem and advise victims and witnesses of help available to them, the Sheriff’s Office now employs a Victim Advocate where victims and witnesses can receive a variety of help and information.

The Victim Advocate is on 24-hour call seven days a week, in addition to the regular hours of operation, and can be reached by calling (386) 752-9212. The office is located at the Operations Center located at 4917 US HWY 90 East. The regular hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Victim Advocate Section has been established to assure the victims of crime in Columbia County receive the services and protection afforded them through Florida Statutes.

VICTIM SERVICES:

CRISIS COUNSELING refers to in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance and counseling provided by advocates, counselors, mental health professionals, or peers. Such counseling may occur at the scene of the crime, immediately after a crime, or be provided on an on-going basis.

FOLLOW-UP CONTACT refers to in-person contacts, telephone contacts, and written communications with victims to offer emotional support, provide empathetic listening, check on victim’s progress, etc.

REFERRALS TO SHELTER/SAFETY refers to cooperation with shelters and safe houses within or near our area for victims and families who need protection following victimization.

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL refers to in-person contacts with victims during which time services and available support are identified.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUPPORT/ADVOCACY refers to support, assistance, and advocacy provided to victims at any stage of the criminal justice process, to include post-sentencing services and support.

EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE refers to helping locate resources for payment of food, emergency shelter, or other needs. It may also include assistance in filing for losses covered by public and private insurance programs such as workman’s compensation, unemployment benefits, welfare, and Medicare.

ASSISTANCE IN FILING COMPENSATION CLAIMS refers to making victims aware of the availability of the state Crime Victims’ Compensation Board, assisting the victim in completing the required forms, and in helping to gather the required documentation. It may also include follow-up contact with this board on behalf of the victim.

PERSONAL ADVOCACY refers to assisting victims in securing rights and services from other agencies, intervention with employers, creditors, and others on behalf of the victim, and relating other information about rights and remedies available to the victim.

EMERGENCY LEGAL ADVOCACY refers to the filing of temporary restraining orders, and open communication with the State Attorney’s Office.

OTHER SERVICES may include information and referrals given telephonically, attending a funeral service, or anything not covered above which may arise in a given case.

VICTIMS’ RIGHTS IN FLORIDA:
If you are a victim of a crime that occurred in the State of Florida then you are entitles to certain legal rights as a victim. The term “victim” includes a relative of a minor who is a victim or the relative of a homicide victim.

As a victim of a crime, you have the following rights:

  • You have the right to be informed, to be present and to be heard when relevant at all crucial stages of a criminal or juvenile proceeding, to the extent that this right does not interfere with constitutional rights of the accused.
  • You have the right to submit an oral or written impact statement at such sentencing or juvenile disposition hearing.
  • You have the right to request and receive restitution from the defendant for any direct or indirect loss you may have suffered as a result of the defendant’s act, if the defendant is convicted at trial or ad judicatory hearing or pleads guilty or no contest to the offense.
  • If you have property held for evidentiary purposes by a law enforcement agency, you have the right to have it photographed and returned, unless there is compelling law enforcement reason for retaining it.
  • You may have a right to receive compensation for any physical injury you have received as a result of the defendant’s criminal or delinquent activity. The Victim’s Compensation Fund established under Florida Law may entitle you to financial assistance if you qualify.
  •  You have a right to have information furnished to you on steps available for law enforcement officers and state attorneys to protect you from intimidation.
  • You have a right to receive prompt advance notification, if possible, of:

a. The arrest of the accused.
b. The release of the accused pending judicial proceedings.
c. Proceedings in the prosecution of the accused, including the arraignment, disposition of the accusatory instrument, trial, ad judicatory hearing,   sentencing, disposition, hearing, appellate review, subsequent modification of sentence, collateral attack of a judgment , and, where a term of imprisonment, detention, or involuntary  commitment is imposed, the release of the defendant from such imprisonment, detention or commitment.

  • If you are a victim of a felony involving physical or emotional injury or trauma or in the case of a minor child or a homicide, the guardian or family of the victim, you have a right to be consulted by the assistant state attorney assigned to your case concerning the disposition of the case, including:
    a. The release of the accused pending judicial proceedings.
    b. Plea agreements, if any.
    c. Participation in pretrial diversion programs.
    d. Sentencing or disposition of the accused.

If you are the victim of domestic violence, you may ask the state attorney to file a criminal complaint. You also have the right to go to court and file a petition requesting an injunction for protection from domestic violence which may include, but need not be limited to, provisions which restrain the abuser from further acts of abuse.

– A victim who has been scheduled to attend a criminal or juvenile justice proceeding shall be notified as soon as possible of any change in scheduling of such proceeding.
– A victim has the right to have a victim’s advocate attend and be present during any deposition of the victim.
– At your request, you have a right to assistance by the Office of the State Attorney in informing your employer of the need for victim and witness cooperation in the prosecution   of the case and that it may necessitate the absence of the victim or witness from work.
– If you have suffered a serious financial strain as a direct result of a crime, or cooperation with law enforcement agencies of the State Attorney, you have a right to be assisted by the State Attorney in explaining to creditors the reason for such serious financial strain.
General Victim Assistance – as a victim or witness, you also have a right to assistance in other areas such as transportation to court, parking, separate pretrial waiting areas and translator services, as is practical. The Witness Management Office of your local Circuit and County Court can assist you in these areas.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate Program
4917 US Hwy 90 East
Lake City, Florida 32055
(386) 719-2002