IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF VIOLENT CRIME . . .

The top priority of the Los Angeles Police Department is to prevent crime from occurring. Unfortunately, in a complex urban society such as Los Angeles, it is not possible to stop all criminal activity. For those individuals touched by crime each year, we are making the following information available to you to help understand your rights as a victim of crime in the State of California.
___We understand that crime victims can become lost in a justice system that is geared to prosecuting criminals. But during the last three decades, there has been increasing sensitivity to the needs and rights of crime victims on the part of the criminal justice system.
___The Crime Victims' Handbook was written by the Office of the Attorney General especially for California's crime victims and witnesses. If you are a victim or witness, this handbook describes the process that you may go through as part of the criminal justice system. It also advises you of your rights and of the state and local services that may be available to assist you. In addition, you will find definitions of legal and law enforcement terms in the Glossary that may be useful to you.
___If you are a crime victim, witness, or victim survivor... help is available through many of the resources listed in this publication. We hope this information will be of benefit to you and wish you the best.

USEFUL DOCUMENTS from the LAPD (PDF format)
Crime Victims Handbook
Neighborhood Watch
__Brochure
__En Espanol
__Organizers' Guide
__Family Violence
__Take a Stand
__Taking Back Your Neighborhood
__Eight Things Neighbors Can Do

More Neighborhood Watch Information
www.wycokck.org/nrc/watch.htm
www.sheriffs.org/CrimePrevention/

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FROM THE L.A. COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

The Victim-Witness Assistance Program’s mission is to alleviate the trauma and devastating effects of crime on the lives of victims and their families. Victim advocates guide victims through the court process, help victims receive restitution, provide crisis intervention, and provide referrals to counseling and community services.
___Because Victim-Witness Assistance Program staff members are located at numerous sites throughout the county, crime victims and their families are assisted as closely as possible to their home.
___Go to Victim-Witness Assistance Program for more info.

USEFUL DOCUMENTS from the L.A. County District Attorney (PDF format)
Sexual Assault Pamphlet
Victim Impact Program

L.A. District Attorney DNA Information
L.A. County Deserves State-of-the-Art Crime Lab
Proposed Crime Lab Architectural Program