VICTIM WITNESS PROGRAM
The Prosecutor’s Victim Witness Program is designed to assist victims of crime through the criminal court system. Our Victim/Witness Coordinators provide a variety of informational, referral, and personal support services to crime victims in court related cases. Some of these services include:
- Step-by-step explanations about the criminal court process and what to expect in the months ahead
- Notification about case developments
- Emotional support through the court process, including accompaniment to meetings and court proceedings
- Assistance in obtaining an Order of Protection for qualifying victims of actual physical or sexual abuse or victims who have been threatened with physical, mental, or sexual abuse
- Assistance with restitution during prosecution for property loss or damage resulting from crime
- Referrals to other community services such as local shelters, the domestic abuse court advocate, group or personal counseling providers and area support groups
- Assistance in seeking reimbursement through the Arkansas Crime Victims Reparations Board for various out-of-pocket expenses resulting from the crime
- Assistance in registering for victim notification through the V.I.N.E. electronic notification system and/or the Arkansas Department of Corrections (ADC)
The services of the Prosecutor’s Victim/Witness Program are free of charge. If you are a victim of a crime committed in Sebastian County, we may be able to help you. We know that the better informed you are about your case, the criminal court system, and your rights as a victim, the better able you are to cope with a difficult situation.
If you are the victim of a crime:
- Report the incident to police
- Cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors
- Take necessary steps to prevent further violence or intimidation
- Notify the Prosecuting Attorney's Office of any changes to your address or phone number.
For more information call or email one of the Victim/Witness Coordinators:
Fort Smith Office: 479-783-1069
Greenwood Office: 479-996-1789
Flor Bermudez
Director of Victim/Witness Services
Daniela Dewitt
Domestic/Sexual Assault Victims age 13 and over
Krystal Summers
Domestic/Sexual Assault Victims under age 13
Christine Hornsey
Sebastian County cases outside the Fort Smith city limits
479-996-1789