Lohra L. Miller
District Attorney
Salt Lake County
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The Counseling Unit of the District Attorney's Office
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
The Salt Lake District Attorney's Office operates under the leadership of Lohra L. Miller, the Salt Lake County
District Attorney. The Office is a professional government law office engaged in diverse areas of legal practice
and staffed by public servants working on behalf of the citizens of Salt Lake County.
The Counseling Office
The District Attorney Counseling unit (DACU) is a vital part of the District Attorney's Office.
The Unit has eight staff members comprised of six licensed social workers, a program director and
a legal secretary. The counselors receive specialized training in working with victims of crime
and provide critical psychological support and mental health treatment to victims from the time the
criminal case if filed with the court throughout the balance of the process, including plea negotiations,
preliminary hearings, trials, judicial "sentencings" and post-trial issues.
Mission Statement
The mission statement of the District Attorney Counseling Unit is to offer education about the
Criminal Justice System, facilitate interaction between victims, family members and prosecutors,
and provide psychological support and therapeutic intervention throughout the legal process.
Who is eligible?
Any person who is a victim of or witness to a violent crime that is being prosecuted by the District
Attorney's Office is eligible for DACU services. Crimes such as sexual assault, child physical or
sexual abuse, domestic violence and homicide fall into the scope of cases in which DACU participates.
However, the services are not limited to these crimes.
How will I be contacted?
After criminal charges have been filed in court, victims and witness are contacted by telephone to
schedule an initial appointment and meet with a DACU counselor. Secondary victims or witnesses may
contact DACU for our services.
Initial Appointment
During the Initial Appointment with a DACU counselor, the victim or witness receives valuable information
related to their case as well as detailed information regarding the court process. When possible, the
Deputy District Attorney assigned to the criminal case attends the initial appointment. Applications for
financial assistance for victims of crime through the Utah State Office of Crime Victim Reparations are
provided.
Court Appearances
The DACU counselors act as liaisons to the victims and the prosecutors by attending court hearings with
the victim or witness and providing information about the process. During court hearings, DACU provides
support and therapeutic intervention as needed to the victim or witness.
Follow Up Contact
As the criminal case progresses through the justice system, DACU counselors provide up-to-date case status
information as requested by victims, family members or witnesses. Counselors respond to questions and concerns
and notify victims or witnesses of significant progress with their case.
Mental Health Referral
DACU counselors are qualified to provide mental health treatment and/or referrals to any victim or witness who
wishes to pursue long-term counseling.
Contact Information
District Attorney Counseling Unit (801) 363-7911
Salt Lake District Attorney's Office (801) 363-7900
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If you have any questions please email us
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