Victim Services and Witness Assistance
Following a crime, a victims life can be turned upside down. The experience of being a crime victim can create different emotional, physical and financial responses from every person. The Shiawassee County Victim-Witness Assistance Service is a liaison between crime victims and witness and the criminal justice system.
Crime in Shiawassee County touches everyone. When a person is victimized, the entire community suffers. If you are not personally the victim of a crime, you probably know a relative, friend, or neighbor who has been. Being a victim of (or a witness to) crime can be a frightening experience. A crime victim feels violated by the intrusion into his or her life, and is left feeling angry and in pain.
Both victims and witnesses naturally look to the criminal justice system for vindication and justice, but too often find a court system which appears to be dedicated to protecting the very people who have caused the anger and pain and who have violated the law: the criminal defendants. While the criminal justice system was designed to protect, support, and serve our communities, most citizens do not learn about it until they become victims of crime – the worst possible time to try to understand the complex roles and responsibilities of each of the “players” in the system. However, no criminal can be successfully prosecuted without the valuable assistance of victims and witnesses.
Barbara Haber-Grinnell, Victim Rights Coordinator
Barbara Haber-Grinnell, Shiawassee County’s Victim Rights Coordinator, is available to assist victims of crime through the criminal process.
Victim Rights Coordinator Haber-Grinnell provides a victim the rights that have been established by the Crime Victim Rights Act and can provide them with additional services, which may include:
- Notifying the victim of any scheduled court proceedings;
- Updating the victim on case status and any known change in court dates;
- Accompanying and supporting the victim in court;
- Providing the victim with court orientation;
- Explaining the court process and procedures to the victim;
- Providing the victim with privacy prior to court appearances;
- Helping the victim with the return of personal property;
- Assisting the victim with the creation of a Victim Impact Statement;
- Assisting the victim in applying for Crime Victim Compensation;
- Assisting the victim in making a claim for restitution;
- Acting as a liaison
To obtain information or assistance from Ms. Haber-Grinnell, please contact her at:
Barbara Haber-Grinnell, Victim Rights Coordinator
Shiawassee County Prosecutor’s Office
201 North Shiawassee Street, Second Floor
Corunna, Michigan 48817
(989) 743-2468
bhaber-grinnell@shiawassee.net
Other Victim Resources
- Michigan Crime Victim Notification Network (VINELink)
- Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS)
- SafeCenter
- Mi211 (Community Resource Guide)
- Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence
The National Center for Victims of Crime has links to cover topics such as; Assault, Child Abuse (for youth), Domestic Violence, Homicide, Impaired Driving, Robbery, Sexual Violence, Stalking, and What Adults Need to Know About Child Abuse. We are one of many service agencies created to help and support victims of crime.
