In 1984, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office formally established the Victim Assistance Program to address the needs of people directly affected by crime in Tarrant County. The program educates crime victims about the criminal justice process and provides information about social service agencies that can best handle their particular needs.

Services are available to victims of sexual assault, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, or cases involving serious bodily injury and to relatives of murder victims. The Program is available to victims in some misdemeanor cases.

After a case is filed with the Criminal District Attorney’s Intake Section, a victim assistance coordinator sends a contact letter to the crime victim. The letter contains informational brochures, victim impact statements for the victim to complete, and applications for crime-victim compensation or property restitution when provided for by law.

Victims are encouraged to keep in contact with the coordinator assigned to their case. The coordinator can provide the victim with docket dates, jail status, disposition information, information about available social services and agencies, assistance in completing the crime victim compensation application and the victim impact statement, and help understanding courtroom procedure and policies. They also provide courtroom accompaniment as needed during trial. Other agencies, such as MADD and support groups for murder victims may provide court accompaniment as well. The Victim Assistance Program provides a comfortable waiting area, away from the courts and media, where victims and/or their families can relax and feel secure during trials.