Victim Services

Mission

The mission of the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office Victims’ Services Unit is to ensure the rights of victims are protected while providing advocacy and support by extending compassionate and knowledgeable service to all victims of crime in Orangeburg County.

How We Assist You

When a crime is committed in Orangeburg County, one of the primary concerns of the Sheriff’s Office is the victim. In an effort to ensure the rights of the victim, the Sheriff’s Office has established a Victims’ Services Unit. Crime victims often suffer emotional trauma, fear, confusion, and financial loss. It is our goal to make contact with the victim and maintain a relationship as long as we are needed.

Services provided include:

  • Act as a liaison between victim, police officers, investigators, and community-based agencies
  • Advocate on behalf of victim in court in the absence of the victim
  • Arrange for professional counseling and support groups
  • CDV Orientation twice a month
  • Conduct on the scene crisis intervention
  • Educate law enforcement and victims of new law pertaining to specific victimization such as domestic violence
  • Help prepare victims for court and provide court advocacy and accompaniment
  • Identify and inform victims of their rights under the law
  • Intervene on behalf of victims with creditors, employers, etc...upon request
  • Provide applications and information to victims concerning South Carolina Crime Victims’ Compensation; explain purpose, procedures, and policies, and assist in completion of forms
  • Provide emotional and moral support
  • Provide immediate crisis response with getting domestic violence victim into shelters
  • Provide information and referral
  • Provide information on rights, services and procedures if a victim or witness is harassed or threatened
  • Provide information regarding current status of case
  • Provide transportation to and from court

Victims’ Bill of Rights

To preserve and protect victims’ rights to justice and due process regardless of race, sex, age, religion, or economic status, victims of crime have the right to:

  • Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity
  • Be free from intimidation or harm throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process
  • Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity
  • Be reasonably informed about criminal proceedings
  • Be informed if the accused is arrested, released, or escapes
  • Confer with the prosecution before the case is heard in court
  • Be present at criminal proceedings where the accused has the right to be present
  • Be heard at proceedings affecting bond, bail, release, pleas, or sentencing
  • Have reasonable access to documents relating to the crime before trial
  • Receive restitution from the adult or juvenile offenders
  • A reasonable, prompt, and final conclusion of the case

The penalty for violating the Victims’ Bill of Rights is a Writ of Mandamus, issued by the Supreme Court or Circuit Court to require compliance.