Information for Crime Victims and Witnesses
Your Right to Know

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office’s Victim Witness Assistance Program is one of the largest and most comprehensive prosecutor-based victim advocacy programs in the country, serving all victims and witnesses of felony crimes as well as victims and witnesses of juvenile crime, domestic violence and sexual assault. Victim-witness specialists guide victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system providing court orientation, information on the Illinois Bill of Rights for Crime Victims and Witnesses as well as providing necessary support and referrals.

Cook County now has a victim notification system that can notify victims, witnesses or other concerned parties of the defendant’s release from Cook County jail and can provide the status of court dates.

October 2001 is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The office will be participating in a variety of activities including the "adopt a shelter" program and its annual domestic violence task force luncheon.

Each year, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office holds a Homicide Victim Memorial Service for the loved ones of homicide and reckless homicide victims. This tribute brings together families of victims and concerned citizens from all lover Cook County and offers support, encouragement, as well as community resources to homicide survivors. This year’s memorial will be held on October 6, 2001 at the South Shore Cultural Center.

Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office
Victim Witness Assistance Program
2650 S. California
Chicago Illinois 60608
(773) 869 7200 or (312) 603 7605
saovwap@cookcountygov.com