Victim Witness Assistance Program
VWAC NAME HEREVictim Witness Assistance Coordinator for YOUR UNIT HERE
Victim Witness Assistance Program
MCO 5800.14 created a “bill of rights” for victims and witnesses to ALL crimes under the UCMJVWAP is the program which ensures victims and witnesses are aware of these rights and are able to exercise them
Victim Witness Assistance Coordinator (VWAC)
Each battalion/squadron sized unit must have a VWACVWAC is a POC for victims and witnesses who need assistance exercising their rights
MCO 5800.14: Victim Rights
To be treated with fairness and respect for the victim’s dignity and privacy.To be reasonably protected from the accused.To be notified of any decision to dispose of an alleged offense at court-martial, NJP or ADSEP proceedings.To be present at all public court-martial, NJP and ADSEP proceedings, unless the court or legal advisor, determines that testimony by the victim would be materially altered if the victim heard other testimony at that proceeding.To be reasonably heard at any public proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, or parole of the accused.
MCO 5800.14: Victim Rights
To confer with the attorney for thegovtin the case.To receive information about the conviction, sentence, confinement, and release of the accused.To be notified of the apprehension of an accused, the initial appearance of an accused before a military judge, the release of the accused pending court-martial, any escape of the accused, and the time and location of any trial, NJP, or ADSEP proceedings (including entry of guilty pleas and sentencing)
MCO 5800.14: Witness Rights
To be treated with fairness and respect for the witness’ dignity and privacy.To be reasonably protected from the accused.To be notified of any decision to dispose of an alleged offense at court-martial, NJP or ADSEP proceedings.To be provided information about the resolution of the case to include ADSEP decisions, any punishment awarded, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender, if confined.To be notified of the apprehension of an accused, the initial appearance of an accused before a military judge, the release of the accused pending court-martial, any escape of the accused, and the time and location of any trial, NJP, or ADSEP proceedings (including entry of guilty pleas and sentencing)
MCO 5800.14: Treatment of Victims:
Throughout and following the adjudication or other disposition of alleged offenses, all victims shall be treated as victims. The treatment of victims is independent of the results obtained by the military or criminal justice system or during the administrative process.
If you are a Victim/Witness and you have any issues regarding these rights or anything else you would like to discuss with the command and you are not satisfied with the response of your chain-of-command…
Contact meNameE-mailPhone
Hypothetical Issues of a Victim/Witness:
Victim/witness is placed on legal hold against his/her will for an extended period of timeVictim/witness desires access to counseling services and has not been provided contact informationVictim/witness desires a Military Protective Order (MPO) be put into place against an accused
CAUTION:
I am not your lawyer/counselor/chaplainNo privileged communicationsDo not say anything to me that you would not say to the COAnything you tell me is discoverable at a court-martial and could potentially damage your case
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