Office of the District Attorney

P. David Soares
County Court House
Albany, New York 12207
(518) 487-5460
(518) 487-5093 FAX

Statement of District Attorney P. David Soares

On the Proposal to Move the Crime Victims Advocates to the Office of the District Attorney 

ALBANY, NY –  District Attorney P. David Soares today released the following statement in support of the proposal by County Executive Breslin to move the Crime Victim Advocates into the Office of the District Attorney in the 2006 Budget.

I have always advocated an increased emphasis on victim’s services as part of the Office and duties of the District Attorney. I have also promised to bring “Best Practices” in Criminal Justice to Albany County . This proposal meets both goals. Most counties in New York State , crime victims are already part of the DA’s Office.

There are a great many reasons why this proposal make sense. Here are some of them:

• Moving the victim advocates will dramatically expand the scope of services that this Victims Advocates Office can provide. Currently the Crime Victim’s Advocates (CVA) are by and large limited to cases of rape and domestic violence. However, victims of harassment, robbery, assault and a whole host of other crimes also need and deserve the services of the CVA staff. By bringing CVA into the DA’s Offices, these victims will get the help they need.

• Currently CVA staff are only called in when the prosecuting attorney makes a specific request. Now, the CVA staff will have a seat at the table where all incoming cases are reviewed and the decision as to which cases they become involved in will be their decision, not just the prosecutors.

• In very difficult cases, cases with severely traumatized victims, it is necessary to have the CVA staff fully integrated into the entire process of prosecution from initial discussions to the decision regarding final disposition to advocate aggressively for the rights and needs of the victims.

• Many of the programs and services that are available to crime victims including enrollment into the Victims Notification Program where victims are notified prior to an offender being released from prison require data that is maintained by the DA’s Office and is not routinely available to CVA staff now. This problem will be eliminated.

• Finally, having the Victims Advocates part of the DA’s Office will enhance their prestige in relations with outside individuals and organizations.

The bottom line is that it is the business of the Office of the District Attorney to seek justice on behalf of the People. I believe that justice can only be achieved if the legitimate rights and needs of crime victims are met. Incorporating the Crime Victims Advocates into the Office of the District Attorney is the best way to achieve that goal.

For further information contact: Richard Arthur