VICTIM ASSISTANCE

    The Victim Advocates of the Sumter County Sheriff's Office serve in various capacities for victims of crimes or those directly affected by crimes. Their responsibilities range from responding to crime scenes to counsel and comfort victims, accompany victims or speak on their behalf at certain court hearings and also assist with conducting forensic interviews of victims of violent or sex-related crimes.

    The Victim Assistance Unit maintains a resource directory of numerous services and outreach programs available to crime victims.You may contact our Victim’s Advocates at 803-436-2129 or 803-436-2044 for further assistance.

South Carolina Victim's Rights

Purpose: To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process regardless of race, sex, age,
religion or economic status, victims of crime have the right to:

(1) Be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment
or abuse throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process, and to be informed of the
victim's constitutional rights, provided by statute;

(2) Be reasonably informed when the accused or convicted person is arrested, released from
custody or has escaped;

(3) Be informed of and present at any criminal proceedings which are dispositive of the
charges where the defendant has the right to be present;

(4) Be informed of and be allowed to submit either a written oral statement at all hearings
affecting bond or bail;

(5) Be heard at any proceeding involving a post-arrest release decision, a plea or sentencing;

(6) Be reasonably protected from the accused or persons acting on his behalf throughout the
criminal justice process;

(7) Confer with prosecution, after the crime against the victim has been changed, before the
trial or before any disposition and informed of the disposition;

(8) Have reasonable access after the conclusion of the criminal investigation to all documents
relating to the crime against the victim before trial;

(9) Receive prompt and full restitution from the person or persons convicted of the criminal
conduct that caused the victim's loss or injury including both adult and juvenile
offenders;

(10) Be informed of any proceeding when any post-conviction action is being considered, and

be present at any post-conviction hearing involving a post-conviction release decision;

(11) A reasonable disposition and prompt and final conclusion of the case;

(12) Have all rules governing criminal procedure and the admissibility of evidence in all
criminal proceedings protect victims' rights and have these rules subject to amendment or
repeal by the legislature to ensure protection of these rights.

Victim's Responsibilities

Inform the appropriate agencies of any change of address and phone numbers to include any alternate address and/or phone numbers, to include cell phone numbers, of where you may be reached at any given time.