A crime victim’s guide to the criminal justice system

Abstract

Victims of crime often have many questions about the criminal justice system and their involvement in it. Victims may want to know the status of aninvestigation and how the police are handling the matter. Has a suspect been apprehended? Have criminal charges been laid? Will the matter go to court?What is the role of a victim in the process? Will it be necessary to testify in court? This booklet is intendedto complement these services by guiding victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system and helping them understand their role in it.