Victim and Witness Services
Whether it's court accompaniment, witness relocation assistance, help with writing victim impact statements or grief counseling, the Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City wants victims and witness of crime to know that we are here to support you in every step of the criminal justice process.
The Victim Witness Division
The Victim Witness Division of the BCSAO exists in order to make the encounter of victims and witnesses with the Criminal Justice system as understandable, smooth and comfortable as it can be. The division is staffed by dedicated professionals who are able to assist with keeping victims and witness informed about the progress of a case, making service referrals as well as serving as liaisons between the victims, witnesses and the prosecutors.
The Family Bereavement Center
The Victim & Witness Services Unit also includes the Family Bereavement Center (FBC) – the only bereavement center in the state with a full-time staff to serve survivors of homicide. Since opening its doors in 1990 the Center has provided survivors of homicide victims with individual counseling sessions, bi-weekly support groups and workshops series focused on creative coping skills such as meditation and creative writing.
A Safe Space for Victims and Witnesses
In March of 2018, the BCSAO unveiled a new trauma-informed Victim & Witness Services Waiting Room in the Mitchell Courthouse that was renovated to create a more welcoming space for victims and witnesses of crime to receive services and await their appearances in court. The design plans were created by the nonprofit organization Design Angels of America and was executed by the Department of General Services. The renovation included a dedicated play area for children, power-integrated furniture, and a computer allowing visitors to access resources while they await trial.