THOMASVILLE- The Rotary Club of Thomasville heard from Gwen Tyler, victims and witness advocate for the Thomasville District Attorney’s office, on Thursday afternoon about the Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights.
Tyler has been an advocate in the community for the past 18 years and nationally certified for 10 years. She actively educates the community about services provided by the Victim-Witness Assistance Program throughout the year, including the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week ceremony in April and the Domestic Violence Awareness program in October.
Tyler described her position as a guide for victims and witnesses during the judicial process, which can often be confusing and drawn out.
“In a perfect world, the Magistrate Judge would issue a warrant, police would make the arrest, the person would get bail or bond, they’re let out of jail, they go before a jury and they are found innocent or guilty and sentenced,” Tyler said. “But, that’s not always what happens.”
Because the process is not always so linear, Tyler said her job entails making sure victims understand how the process works and when there are delays.
“This is important to someone who is wanting justice immediately,” Tyler said.
To make sure victims are cared for at all times during the proceeding, Tyler is tasked with informing the parties of all dates, accompanying them to courtrooms and hearings, and notifying individuals when a suspect makes bail or bond, so they can make preparations.
“The last thing we want victims to do is find out through Facebook or social media that someone has been released from jail,” she said.
While all of these tasks are important to Tyler, she said the most crucial part of her job is informing victims of their rights.
Victims have a right to be treated fairly and with dignity by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case. They also have a right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
“This is one that usually gets my victims riled up,” Tyler said. “We don’t want delays, but sometimes things happen and we have to continue a case. By law, we have to call the victim and let them know there has been a delay and what the reason for the delay is.”
Victims have a right to be present at all criminal proceedings in which the accused has a right to be present. Laws also give victims the right to not be excluded from any scheduled court proceedings, except for grand jury.
“Victims and witnesses are the most important part of a prosecution’s case,” Tyler said. “I know law enforcement may disagree and say that evidence is. Evidence is important, but without the victims and witnesses to put in front of a jury, the evidence is no good, because there is no one to present it.”
In the event a judge does not allow a victim to be heard or speak at one of the criminal proceedings, Tyler is required to help victims file a complaint with the Judicial Qualifications Commission.
“This has only happened once in my 18 years, but it’s part of their rights,” she said.
While victims have all of these rights, Tyler explained they also have responsibilities to keep her informed of changes to addresses and telephone numbers, and if they want to be notified about the case. They additionally must update their information with the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Tyler said she hopes no one ever has to find themselves updating their information or utilizing these services, but in the event they do, Marcy’s Law has guaranteed victims’ rights will be honored through the Georgia Constitution.