Erin Rocchietti, Coordinator

The Office of Victim Witness Advocacy, within the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, was established to ensure that the rights of the crime victims are protected and that the criminal justice system treats crime victims and witnesses with fairness, compassion and respect. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office of Victim Witness Advocacy, through its dedicated staff, provides victims with information about the criminal justice process, their rights as crime victims, case status information and support services.

Prosecutor's Message

The impact of crime is far reaching. It effects the victims, witnesses, their families, neighborhoods and sometimes even whole communities. The Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, within the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, was established to ensure that the rights of the crime victims are protected and that the criminal justice system treats crime victims and witnesses with fairness, understanding, dignity and respect. The Somerset County Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy, through its dedicated staff, provides victims with information about the criminal justice process, their rights as crime victims and other support services. These services are available to help victims cope with the trauma and the aftermath of the victimization and to lessen the inconveniences often associated with participation in the criminal justice process. Your cooperation through the criminal justice process is essential to the successful prosecution of criminal cases and is sincerely appreciated.

New Jersey State Constitution

Article One – Paragraph 22
Adopted November 5, 1991

A victim of a crime shall be treated with fairness, compassion and respect by the criminal justice system. A victim of a crime shall not be denied the right to be present at public judicial proceedings except when, prior to completing testimony as a witness, the victim is properly sequestered in accordance with law or the Rules Governing the Courts of the State of New Jersey. A victim of a crime shall be entitled to those rights and remedies as may be provided by the Legislature.