Genesee Justice Programs 2008
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Division Description
Included within the Genesee Justice are Comprehensive Victim Services, Justice for Children, and Community Corrections (Community Service/Judicial Diversion/Bail Evaluations/RUS/DWI-CD).
Comprehensive Victim Services has the mission of providing direct services and victim advocacy for victims of crime. Through an ongoing supportive relationship with a Victim Assistant, the client is assisted in acquiring knowledge and services available to them through the Crime Victim's Board and the Criminal Justice System. Clients are also made aware of information related to the investigation, apprehension, prosecution and disposition of the person(s) who committed a crime against them, as well as accompanying them to court proceedings if they so desire. Victim clients are also provided with the opportunity to address the harm done to them in other non-traditional methods that involve the use of restorative justice principles.
Justice for Children focuses on providing assistance to child-victims of physical and sexual abuse cases by reducing trauma and enhancing the prosecution of such cases. This initiative incorporates seventeen agencies working together to help child-victims cope with the trauma of such an experience and to prepare them to handle the pressure of courtroom testimony. Medical exams and/or joint forensic interviews for sexually or physically abused children are conducted at the Justice for Children Center, a child-friendly house located in a downtown neighborhood.
Community Service is a sentencing option that is an alternative to incarceration. It provides a cost effective way of dealing with non-violent, low-risk offenders, which reduces jail costs, while providing needed services to community non-profit organizations.
Judicial Diversion is a screening process that allows our legal system to place selected offenders with an alternate disposition. This initiative allows offenders to earn sentencing opportunities, which holds them accountable for their actions with the court while ensuring that the victims of the offense maintain involvement with the eventual outcome.
Bail Evaluation/RUS Program is a screening and supervision program for those defendants who may not be able to post bail or the court desires to release under supervision status. The population covered includes jail pre-trial detainees and those appearing directly before the court. The focus of the program is to have the defendant reappear for their next court appearance, remain law-abiding in the community and participate in treatment when so directed by the court.
DWI/CD Program is designed to provide a meaningful intervention for selected DWI charged offenders. Requirements of the program focus on a certified alcohol evaluation, treatment follow-up, random alcohol testing, etc. The supervision period is for 12 months. If successful, defendants have their DWI charges reduced to DWAI or for very high BAC levels, a “no jail, no probation” outcome.
Genesee Justice Program Statistics for 2008
Justice for Children Program & Advocacy Center:
- Child Advocacy Center (tenth year of operation)
- 20 agency multi-disciplinary team (child advocacy & collaboration)
Children served:
- 90 - Genesee County
- 37 - Wyoming County
- 34 - Livingston County
- 4 - Other counties
- 85 - Child sexual abuse/physical assault examinations
- 20 - Forensic interviews by CPS and Law Enforcement
- 82 - Forensic interviews by CAC Forensic Interviewers
- 96 - CORE team case reviews (case direction determination)
- 1 - Medical counseling sessions
Comprehensive Victims Assistance:
- 73 - Victim of serious & violent crimes served
- 67 - Victim home visits (Outreach)
- 166 - Compensation claims assistance filed
- 476 - Criminal Justice Support
- 393 - Personal Advocacy
- 19 - Clients assisted in Family Court & with Orders of Protection
Community Corrections:
- 218 - Offenders referred to Community Service
- 6,348 - Hours of unpaid work performed
- 92 - Non-profit agencies served
- 486 - Jail detainees evaluated for Release Under Supervision
- 246 - Jail detainees supervised via court order
- 233 - DWI conditional discharge cases referred & supervised by court orders
