Victim Services

If this is an emergency and you need immediate assistance, please call 911.

The Boise Police Department Victim-Witness Program was developed in 1990 in response to a need for crisis intervention and support services for victims, witnesses and survivors of violent crimes. 

The coordinators in this unit rotate being on-call, responding to crime scenes, the hospitals or other locations when requested, providing crisis intervention and stabilization on a 24-hours per day, 7 days per week basis. They work directly with patrol officers and the detectives to assist with victims, so crimes can be more easily investigated.

Victim-Witness Coordinators help with crisis intervention while on scene, support during the investigative process, and help victims navigate the court process and criminal justice system. In addition, victim witness provides resources and referrals, counseling connections, and assistance with crime victims compensation, restitution, safety planning, VINE registration and protection orders.

Crime Victims' Rights

This law provides that crime victims shall be:

• Treated Fairly - Treated with fairness, respect, dignity and privacy throughout the criminal justice process.
• Involved in Court - Allowed to attend all court proceedings in the case.
• Considered Concerning Timeliness - Entitled to a timely disposition of the case.
• Notified - given prior notice of trial, appellate and parole proceedings and provided upon request, information about the sentence, incarceration or release of the defendant.
• Heard - Heard, upon request, by a court that is considering a plea of guilty, at sentencing, incarceration or release of the defendant.
• Involved in Plea Agreements - Afforded the opportunity to communicate with the prosecution in criminal or juvenile offenses, and be advised of any proposed plea agreement before it has been made.
• Not Harassed - Allowed to refuse an interview, contact or other request by the defendant or any other person acting on his/her behalf-unless such contact is mandated by the court.
• Involved in Sentencing - Consulted by the pre-sentence investigator during the preparation of the pre-sentence report and have included in this pre-sentence report a victim impact statement. Allowed to read pre-sentence report relating to the crime.
• Property Returned - Assured the speedy return by law enforcement agencies of any stolen or other personal property when no longer needed as evidence.
• Notified of Defendant Release - Notified whenever the defendant or suspect is released or escapes custody.