| Government Link |
PACC/PAAM Staff Directory
Staff Directory for The Prosecuting Attorney's Association of Michigan and the Prosecuting Attorney's Coordinating Council |
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Government Links
Links to Michigan County and State web sites including State Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches as well as Federal web sites. | |
| Legal Glossary |
Glossary of Criminal Terms
The legal System can be filled with confusing phrases and terms. This list should help you to understand that system a little better. |
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| Information About Criminal Cases |
Being Called To Testify in Court
BEING CALLED TO TESTIFY IN COURT may make you nervous. That is a natural reaction. Most witnesses have never testified in court before, and have only seen what witnesses have endured in movies and on TV. However, the criminal justice system cannot work without the cooperation and participation of witnesses.
This page will explain some common-sense witness information, plus answer some typical questions. |
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Steps In a Criminal Case
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A CRIMINAL CASE may be confusing to a victim or witness. The following summary will explain how a case generally progresses through Michigan's criminal justice system. Specific procedures may be modified by local courts or judges.
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| Victim Rights |
Crime In Michigan Touches All of Us
When one person is victimized, we all, as a community, suffer. If you are not personally a victim of crime, then you know a relative, friend or neighbor who is. Victims and witnesses naturally look to the criminal justice system for vindication and justice, but all too often find a court system which appears to be dedicated to protecting the very people who have caused their anger and pain.
As a result of aggressive advocacy, crime victims have recently gained many rights. This page will help you to learn about those rights. |
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How Prosecuting Attorneys Can Help Crime Victims
CRIME VICTIMS CAN TURN TO PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OFFICES for help. Many offices have created Victim Assistance Programs to help crime victims during their involvement with the criminal justice system ... to answer questions ... to keep them informed ... to provide referrals to counseling and support groups ... and to provide personal assistance when possible. | |
Victim Compensation Fund
CRIME CAN TOUCH A VICTIM'S POCKETBOOK hardest of all. Victims naturally look to the criminal justice system for help. Court-ordered restitution is now mandatory, but sometimes is not enough to cover a victim's losses. This page will summarize how the Michigan Crime Victim Compensation Fund may be able to help. If you have further questions, contact your county Prosecuting Attorney's Victim Assistance Coordinator. | |
Victim FAQ's
(Frequently Asked Questions)
CRIME CAN BE A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. You often feel violated by the intrusion into your life and are left with feelings of anger and pain.
While the criminal justice system is designed to protect, support and serve our communities, most citizens do not learn about it until after they become victims of crime --- the worst possible time to try to understand the complex roles and responsibilities of each of the "players" in the system. However, no criminal can be successfully prosecuted without the valuable assistance of victims and witnesses.
This page will answer many of the most common questions asked by crime victims. Other pages summarize how a criminal case proceeds through court, and explain legal terms commonly used in criminal cases. | |
Victim Resources & Links
CRIME VICTIMS CAN FIND HELP IN THE COMMUNITY. Being a victim of crime can be a frightening experience, but you are not alone. Many state and national programs and groups are available to help you cope with your experience now and in coming months. This page will help you to learn about resources in Michigan, nationally and on the Internet. | |
| Manuals |
April 1, 2013 WM List of Changes
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State Bar Eyewitness Identification: A Policy Writing Guide 2012
The purpose of this policy writing Guide is to provide assistance to those writing departmental policies and procedures (P&P) regarding eyewitness identification in live lineups or by photographic display.
Organizational policies and procedures represent the standard of care expected of law enforcement
officials. The intent is to provide agency members with guiding principles in order to conduct fair and
unbiased investigations. Suspects and defendants must be afforded constitutional due process and law enforcement officials must work to eliminate potential mistaken eyewitness identifications. | |
