Jackson County Sheriff's Office Crime Victim Services

  The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Crime Victim Services is a program designed to help crime victims navigate the investigation process following their initial report of the crime. JCSO’s Crime Victim Navigator explains next steps, provides status on case progress, provides copies of incident reports and assists investigators with communication with victims. The Crime Victim Navigator is available to victims until the case is handed off for prosecution, where, if requested, the Victim will receive a Victim’s Advocate from the Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor’s Victim’s Advocate will assist victims through the prosecution process. You must call the JCSO Crime Victim Services to be enrolled in the no cost program. 

Contact the JCSO Crime Victim's Services Navigator by call or text at:   740-979-0797  or call 740-286-6464 or via email: cvnavigator@jacksonso.org

  The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s Crime Victim Services Program defines a victim as a person against whom the criminal offense or delinquent act is committed OR someone who has been directly and proximately harmed by the commission of a criminal offense/delinquent act.

A criminal offense means an alleged act that is punishable by local ordinance or state/federal law. A delinquent act is a criminal offense committed by a person under the age of 18. 

· Orientation to the Criminal Justice System: Explaining the steps towards a resolution, what happens after the incident is reported; gives specific information about individual cases, including incident reports, crash reports (Pubic Records Requests).

· Case Status:  Informing victims of ongoing status before case is turned over to the Prosecutor for review for possible legal action.

· Referrals:  Directing victims to community resources for further assistance.

· Threat of Violence or Intimidation:  Please contact our office IMMEDIATELY for appropriate agency referral.

· Information on return of personal property, impounded vehicles, etc.

Note: The Crime Victim Service Program’s Navigator is available to victims until the case is handed off for prosecution (meaning that charges are filed or a grand jury levies an indictment), where, if requested, the Victim will receive a Victim’s Advocate from the Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor’s Victim’s Advocate will assist victims through the prosecution process. ownership.

  If you, as the victim of a crime, receive a threat from the suspect or from any other person in relation to your case, you should immediately report it to your local law enforcement agency and to the Deputy handling your case. Be sure to explain that you are a crime victim and that you have been threatened in relation to the crime.

 If you have concerns about your safety and keeping your information private, you have the following options:

• Seek a protection order if you are eligible. The investigating officer will provide resources to assist with requesting a protection order.

• Receive texts, calls, or emails to receive notice of a defendant or offender's release or escape from jail or prison. Register at: www.vinelink.com/#state-selectionor (866) 277-7477.

As a victim of crime, your help is very important to our system of justice.  When victims report a crime and testify, they help to make the community a safer place to live. As a citizen of our community and as a victim of a crime, please be advised of the following obligations:

· Report the crime immediately.

· Cooperate fully with law enforcement officials

· Cooperate fully with prosecuting officials

· Testify honestly and completely

· Immediately notify JCSO’s Crime Victim Services or, or the Victim Advocate assigned by the Prosecutor’s Office, in the event of a change in your address or phone number.

  Bringing a case to a resolution can be a lengthy process. Your cooperation and involvement in the justice system is the first step in successful resolution. The following are suggestions to help in the investigation process:

· The most important thing is to tell the truth.

· Listen carefully to the questions that are asked and give thoughtful, considered answers.

· Answer in a direct and simple manner.

Once the incident has finished the investigative process, the case will be submitted to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review. That review may lead to possible prosecution, or may be returned due to lack of sufficient evidence, or cause, stating that further investigation is needed or that there is not enough evidence to proceed with prosecution at this time.

The JSCO Crime Victim Navigator service ends when the case begins the prosecution process. If the case is accepted for prosecution, you may ask the Prosecutor’s Office for a Victim’s Advocate that will be your navigator from the time of prosecution to resolution of the case. 

If the case is returned for further investigation or evidence, your case will remain under the JCSO Crime Victim Navigator, who will supply updates on the case as you request them.

 The  Deputy responding to your incident should be able to provide the following:

• JCSO Incident #
•  Deputy/Investigator Assigned to Case:

You should keep track of the following: 

• Date Incident was reported
•  Date Incident took place if different than report

Once charges are filed, you can keep track of the case by knowing the following:

• Case # Assigned by Court
• Court Assigned