Bi-lingual Victims Assistance Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.

The Prince George's County Office of the State's Attorney will improve its Bilingual Victim Advocate program by hiring a Spanish-speaking Victim Advocate to assist non-English speaking felony crime victims in the Upper Marlboro Circuit Court Division and in Grand Jury proceedings. The goal of the grant program is to bridge the gap in services to non-English speaking victims and their families who become involved in the Prince George's County criminal court process. The bi-lingual Victim Advocate will work to ensure that Spanish-speaking victims understand their rights under law, as well as the services available to them. The Office of the State's Attorney will train the Advocate in the procedures of the criminal justice system, victims' rights and all related laws, requirements and guidelines. At the end of the Federal grant period, the program will be sustained by the Office of the State's Attorney.

NCA/NCF