No one asks to be a victim of a crime, and it is important to remember that becoming a victim is not your fault. It is an honor and a privilege to be entrusted to seek justice for victims in our community and hold criminals accountable for their conduct.

You may be asking “How can a criminal be caught red-handed and plea not guilty? Why is a defendant allowed to post bond and be released? Why do these cases take so long?” Or simply, “What’s next?” My office is here to answer any questions a victim or witness has. We deal with the criminal justice system every day, but we understand that for many victims, this is an unknown and unsettling process.

Thankfully, crime victims in Missouri are guaranteed certain rights pertaining to notification and participation in our criminal justice system. As Newton County’s representative in court, it is my purpose to protect those rights and keep you informed.

To help better understand the ins-and-outs of our criminal justice system, we’ve prepared this information to answer the most common questions we are asked and concerns our victims and witnesses have. We want to remind you that you are not alone, and we are here to serve you. If you have any other questions, please contact my office and speak to one of our victim advocates.