Victim Witness Assistance Program
Office of Spencer Lawton, Jr.
District Attorney
Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia
If you have been a victim of or witness to a crime, where do you turn for information and support?
Victim-Witness Assistance Program
Chatham County Courthouse, 6th Floor
P.O. Box 2309, Savannah, GA 31402
(912)652-7329
(800)477-5959
Office hours are from 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday - Friday.
Click here for the web version of the Witness Information Line
The Victim-Witness Assistance Program is located in the Chatham County Courthouse at the corner of Montgomery Street and Oglethorpe Avenue.
The Victim-Witness Assistance Program is funded primarily by the Chatham County Commission.
Message from the District Attorney | Services
Notification of Inmate Release
If You Are a Witness | If You Are a Victim | Victim's Bill of Rights
Financial Compensation | If You Need Protection
Parking at the Courthouse
A MESSAGE FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
 The Criminal Justice System should do more than provide justice to criminals. It should provide justice to crime victims as well.
Through our Victim-Witness Assistance Program, we are attempting to provide some of the rights which the legal system denies to witnesses and victims of crime.
If you are a victim of crime, or a witness to one, your assistance and cooperation with the prosecution are vital if we are to do our job effectively. No criminal can be punished without the help of witnesses.
We recognize that you may be unfamiliar with court procedures and that the court system can be frustrating and confusing. To help answer your questions and provide support during the court process, I encourage you to contact our Victim-Witness Assistance Program.
The District Attorney's Office is required by law to provide the defense attorney with names, addresses and phone numbers of witnesses for the state. The defense attorney may contact you to discuss what you know about the case. If this happens, you have the right to choose whether or not you will talk to the defense attorney. You also have the right to have someone from the D.A.'s Office or your personal attorney present at the interview.
Please feel free to contact the Victim-Witness Assistance Program at any time. We are here to serve you.
Spencer Lawton, Jr., District Attorney, Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia
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SERVICES ...
The following services are free of charge to crime victims and witnesses:
INFORMATION about the status of your court case via letters and phone calls.
NOTICE of court proceedings, including changes.
INFORMATION and explanation about criminal proceedings.
ORIENTATION to the courtroom setting.
COMPANION to attend court with you and provide emotional support.
ASSISTANCE applying for financial compensation for victims of violent crime.
EMPLOYER INTERVENTION to explain time missed from work due to required court appearances.
PRIVATE WAITING AREA prior to your court appearance.
AID in retrieving stolen items that are being held as evidence.
SUPPORT GROUP for family members and friends of murder victims.
ASSISTANCE if you are intimidated, harassed or afraid.
WITNESS INFORMATION LINE printed on Superior Court (652-7330) and State Court (652-7327) subpoenas gives you up-to-date information on court cases, reporting times and changes in when to report. You can view this information by clicking here.
ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT with any problems that you may be having as a result of the crime itself or court appearances.
REFERRAL to social service agencies, counselors and others who can assist you with personal problems.
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NOTIFICATION OF INMATE RELEASE...
Victims can request to be notified of the release of an inmate from the Chatham County Detention Center (Jail). Call the Jail Records Department at 912-652-7734. If your phone number changes, it is the victim's responsibility to notify the Jail.
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IF YOU ARE A WITNESS...
If you receive a subpoena to appear in court, you are required by law to attend. Remember your cooperation is very important to the prosecution of the person accused of the crime. Unfortunately, court hearings are often passed (that is, postponed) for any number of reasons.
If there are special reasons you are unable to appear in court on the date you have been subpoenaed, please call the Victim-Witness Assistance Program immediately and we will work with the Assistant District Attorney and court staff in trying to make arrangements to change the date of your appearance.
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IF YOU ARE A VICTIM...
No one expects to be a victim of crime. But it happens.
One American household in three is victimized by serious crime every year.
If you or someone close to you is affected by crime, you may be shocked, angered, or shamed. And you may feel helpless and confused.
The criminal justice system has traditionally ignored the special needs of victims while concentrating on protecting the rights of the accused. But the tide is changing.
The Victim-Witness Assistance Program is here to offer crime victims and witnesses emotional support during the aftermath of crime and guidance through the maze of the criminal justice system.
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A VICTIM'S BILL OF RIGHTS...
Victims and Witnesses have a right:
... to be treated with dignity and compassion
... to be protected from intimidation and harm
... to be informed about the criminal justice system
... to be informed of agencies which can assist them
... to be informed of financial compensation
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FINANCIAL COMPENSATION...
If you are a victim of a violent (not property) crime, you may be eligible for victim compensation for out-of-pocket expenses such as medical, counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs. You must apply within six months after the crime. There does not have to be an arrest in the case. Call Victim-Witness Assistance for details.
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IF YOU NEED PROTECTION...
If you are being threatened or intimidated by the offender, please immediately contact the police or the detective assigned to your case. Or call the Victim-Witness Assistance Office at 652-7329.
POLICE - EMERGENCIES.............. 911
NON-EMERGENCY SAVANNAH POLICE .... 651-6676
CHATHAM COUNTY POLICE............. 652-6500
DISTRICT ATTY..................... 652-7308
FIRST CALL FOR HELP............... 232-3383
PROBATION OFFICE.................. 651-2204
VICTIM-WITNESS ASSISTANCE......... 652-7329
If you change your address or phone number, please notify Victim-Witness so you may be kept informed of case status.
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PARKING AT THE COURTHOUSE...
There are parking meters on either side of the County Courthouse (Montgomery Street and M.L. King Blvd.). If there is no available space at one of the meters, there are other possibilities.
There is a city parking garage on Montgomery Street across from the Courthouse. Cost is $1.00 for the first hour and $.50 for additional hours or $5.00 per day. Victim-Witness is not authorized to stamp tickets from the city garage.
You may contact the Victim-Witness Assistance Program prior to your court appearance or appointment with the District Attorney about the possibility of having your parking garage ticket stamped (and the fee waived) at the County garage. The County garage is beside the Courthouse; turn left into the garage. Based on availability and need, the Victim-Witness personnel may be able to stamp your ticket. Otherwise the cost is $2.85 per day or $.85 for the first hour and $.45 to $.50 after that. This offer is only for the County garage (not City).
The Civic Center parking lot is an option when it is not blocked off for major events. The parking lot (entrance on Liberty Street) is $2.00 per day and is a two-block walk from the Courthouse.
For witnesses with physical limitations, please call the Victim-Witness Assistance Program to make special arrangements.
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6th floor
