Victim Services – Gwinnett County Solicitor

Victim Services

The Victim Witness Program in the Solicitor General’s Office is dedicated to supporting victims and witnesses of crime by offering a range of comprehensive services, all at no cost. Our team of dedicated victim advocates is available to assist individuals with emotional support, court orientation and preparation, as well as guidance through the complexities of the criminal justice system.

Victim advocates play a crucial role in the prosecution process, collaborating closely with assistant solicitor generals, investigators, and trial assistants on each case. They ensure that victims and witnesses receive the necessary support and information to navigate their experiences effectively.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime and needs assistance, our victim advocates are here to help. Please contact our office for support.

Victim Witness Program

The Solicitor General’s Office Victim Witness Program assists victims and witnesses of misdemeanor crimes and County ordinances as they maneuver through the criminal justice system.

The Victim Advocates work with law enforcement agencies and community organizations to increase victim safety and educate the public on the signs of domestic violence.

We provide comprehensive services to all victims and witnesses such as:

• Information about your rights as a victim of crime

• Accompany you to court hearings and provide emotional support during the court process

• Provide referrals to counseling and social service agencies in the community

• Assist you in applying for Crime Victims Compensation and Restitution

• Assist you in filing Family Violence and Stalking Temporary Protective Orders

To access our Victim Witness brochure in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Korean see link Resource Guide (PDF).

Crime Victim Bill of Rights

The Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights, O.C.G.A. 17-17-1, et seq., provides individuals who are victims of certain crimes specific rights. Effective January 1, 2019, with the passage of SB 127 and SR 146 (also known as Marsy’s Law), these rights are constitutionally protected and enforced (Georgia Constitution Art. I, Sect. I, Paragraph XXX).

These rights include:

The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any scheduled court proceedings or any changes to such proceedings;
The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of the arrest, release, or escape of the accused;
The right not to be excluded from any scheduled court proceedings, except as provided by law;
The right to be heard at any scheduled court proceedings involving the release, plea, or sentencing of the accused;
The right to file a written objection in any parole proceedings involving the accused;
The right to confer with the prosecuting attorney in any criminal prosecution related to the victim;
The right to restitution as provided by law;
The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; and
The right to be treated fairly and with dignity by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case.
The right to file a motion in the criminal case within 20 days of a court proceeding requesting to be heard if the victim has properly requested notification and is not given notice of said court proceeding.

VINE-Victim Information and Notification Everyday

As a victim of crime, you can register with the VINE program to receive notifications related to the offender’s custody status in the Gwinnett County Jail and any changes in that status.

Once you are registered, VINE will notify you of the offender status changes such as release, transfer or escape from the jail.
Register online with Gwinnett County VINE at VINELink – Georgia – Search or by phone at 1-800-467-4941.

U-Visa Certification Requests

The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. Congress created the U nonimmigrant visa with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (including the Battered Immigrant Women’s Protection Act) in October 2000. The legislation was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of noncitizens and other crimes, while also protecting victims of crimes who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse due to the crime and are willing to help law enforcement authorities in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity. The legislation also helps law enforcement agencies to better serve victims of crimes.

The Solicitor’s Office will review all requests for U Visa Certification to determine if the applicant was a victim on a State Court case that was being prosecuted by this office and whether the victim was cooperative with the investigation and prosecution of the crime. In addition, the applicant must have been a victim of the crime of domestic violence, and the case must have been resolved by plea, trial, or the defendant entering the pre-trial diversion program. The Gwinnett County Solicitor’s Office reserves the right to decline certification requests of those applicants who fail to meet these criteria.

Applications for U Visa Certification WILL NOT BE REVIEWED UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY:

A letter from the immigration law firm representing the victim
A copy of the police department incident report
The State Court case number
Contact information for the applicant or his or her representative

U Visa Certification Application Requests should be sent by email or mail to:
Director of Victim Services
Office of the Solicitor General
75 Langley Drive Lawrenceville, Georgia 30046
UVISAsGwinnettSolicitor@GwinnettCounty.com

Community Resources

Domestic Violence Services

Ahimsa House

404.452.6248
www.ahimsahouse.org

Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence

404.688.9436
www.wrcdv.org

Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV)

24/7 Crisis Line: 404.873.1766
www.padv.org

Mosaic Georgia

770.497.9122
www.mosaicgeorgia.org

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

770.615-3737 | 1.888.833.6033
www.madd.org/georgia