Family Service Advocates
Family Service Advocates are part of the Northwestern District Attorney's Victim-Witness Assistance program. Family Service Advocates specialize in helping families and children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse.
Under the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights, you and your family have the following rights:
You have the right to be informed about how the criminal case progresses through the system, what your role is in the process, what will be expected of you, and why.
You will meet the Family Service Advocate assigned to you at the initial SAIN interview. The advocate will keep you informed on the progress of the case. It is important that you keep the advocate updated on your address and phone number. From the time the defendant is charged until the disposition of the case, there are many court hearings. Unless you choose to, you do not need to appear at these legal hearings. We do not encourage children to attend the hearings. We recognize that you are probably not familiar with the court system. The Family Service Advocate will call you after each hearing to explain the reason for the hearing and the outcome. The advocate is a good source of information and will try to answer your questions. The advocate works closely with the prosecutor who is handling the case. Any legal questions will be answered by the prosecutor.
The Family Service Advocate can also make referrals for follow-up of medical or mental health services, and complete the necessary paperwork to assist you in securing financial compensation from the Victims' Compensation Board, if you qualify.
Family Service Advocates are people who care about children and families and will do their best to help you through this process.
Under the Massachusetts Victim Bill of Rights, you and your family have the following rights:
You have the right to be informed about how the criminal case progresses through the system, what your role is in the process, what will be expected of you, and why.
- You have the right to be informed about how the criminal case progresses through the system, what your role is in the process, what will be expected of you, and why.
- You have the right to be informed of rights and services available to victims in the criminal justice system.
- You have the right to assistance in applying for social services, financial assistance, and certification to receive information about an offender.
- You have the right to be updated on significant developments in the criminal case.
- You have the right to be notified in a timely manner of any changes in the schedule of court appearances for which you have been asked to appear.
- You have the right to be notified of the final disposition of the case, including an explanation of the type of sentence imposed and a copy of the conditions of probation, if any.
- You have the right to be present at all court proceedings. If you are called to testify and the judge determines that your testimony may be influenced by proceedings in the courtroom, you may be excluded from the courtroom until you have testified.
- You have the right to present to the court at sentencing a Victim Impact Statement about the physical, emotional, and financial effects of the crime on you, and your opinion regarding the sentence to be imposed.
- You have the right to speak with the prosecutor before the start of the trial, before a case is dismissed, and before a sentence recommendation is made to the court.
- You have the right to notice from the prosecutor whenever a defense motion is made to obtain any psychiatric or psychological records or other confidential information held by a third party.
You will meet the Family Service Advocate assigned to you at the initial SAIN interview. The advocate will keep you informed on the progress of the case. It is important that you keep the advocate updated on your address and phone number. From the time the defendant is charged until the disposition of the case, there are many court hearings. Unless you choose to, you do not need to appear at these legal hearings. We do not encourage children to attend the hearings. We recognize that you are probably not familiar with the court system. The Family Service Advocate will call you after each hearing to explain the reason for the hearing and the outcome. The advocate is a good source of information and will try to answer your questions. The advocate works closely with the prosecutor who is handling the case. Any legal questions will be answered by the prosecutor.
The Family Service Advocate can also make referrals for follow-up of medical or mental health services, and complete the necessary paperwork to assist you in securing financial compensation from the Victims' Compensation Board, if you qualify.
Family Service Advocates are people who care about children and families and will do their best to help you through this process.