Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office

The District Attorney Counseling Unit (DACU) exists to support and help victims through the criminal justice process.  Counselors in the DA's Office help victims understand the court process and accompany them through court proceedings, assess victim needs, and refer victims to other support services. It is our desire to minimize your concerns as much as possible.

DACU counselors are Master's level licensed social workers possessing specialized training in working with victims of crime. The information below will give you a basic idea of how theDACU will help. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the District Attorney Counseling Unit at (801) 363-7911.

 
Who Is Eligible to Receive Services?

Anyone who is a victim of a violent crime that is being prosecuted by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office is eligible for DACU services. We customarily work with victims of sexual assault, child physical or sexual abuse, and domestic violence. We also work with family members of homicide victims. Services are not limited solely to these crimes, and there is no cost for services.

How Will You Be Contacted?

Once criminal charges have been filed, the DACU secretary will contact you to schedule an initial appointment with one of our counselors. If you would like services and have not been contacted, please call the number above to schedule an appointment.

What Happens at the Initial Appointment?

You will meet your counselor for the first time at the initial appointment and will be provided with details about the charges filed. Your counselor will explain the court process in depth and provide information about available resources—including applications for financial assistance through the Crime Victim Reparations Fund. This fund helps victims by providing financial assistance for crime-related medical care, dental care, mental-health counseling, funeral
and burial expenses, relocation-related costs, rent, loss of earnings, loss of support to dependants, and child care.

Your counselor will encourage you to ask questions during the initial appointment. He/she will also ask you to share how you feel about participating in the criminal justice system and your desired case outcome. Understanding your feelings, desires, and concerns regarding the case is an important part of the initial appointment. Counselors will share your input with the prosecuting attorney who will consider your opinions when making important decisions in the case.

When Do You Have to Go to Court and What Happens There?

You have the right to attend all hearings related to your case; however, there are two court hearings where you and other victims/witnesses may be required to testify. The first is a Preliminary Hearing, and the second is a Trial. The purpose of the Preliminary Hearing is for the prosecutor to present a portion of the evidence in the case to the judge who will determine if there is sufficient evidence to move the case forward to trial. Generally, the primary victim and key witnesses are asked to testify to provide that evidence. At Trial, the prosecutor presents his/her whole case. Thus all witnesses and victims testify to help a jury understand the facts of the case.

DACU counselors provide support throughout the court process. Counselors attend the Preliminary Hearing and Trial with victims and witnesses. In cases involving very young witnesses, the judge may allow the counselor to sit next to a child during their testimony. Additionally, the DACU provides an orientation called Kids' Court to help children and teenagers better understand what happens at court and what they will be asked to do when testifying.

If you plan to attend other hearings, (such as Disposition and Sentencing Hearings), call your counselor and he/she will accompany you whenever possible.

How Do You Stay Informed of What is Happening in the Case?

At the initial appointment, your counselor will give you his/her phone number and email address. Please contact your counselor with questions and concerns or to request information. Upon request, the District Attorney's Office will notify you by mail of scheduled court dates. You may also contact Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) at 1.877.884.8463 or vinelink.com to register to receive updates about court events and defendants’ custody status.

How Do You Get Outside Help?

DACU counselors are qualified to provide mental-health referrals. Your counselor will provide referrals to outside support services and long-term counseling providers whenever clinically appropriate.

How Long Will The Process Take?

It is impossible to predict how long a particular case will take to move through the criminal justice system. This depends on many factors, including whether the case is resolved through a plea negotiation or if it proceeds to trial. Many of the choices that determine the length of the process are beyond our control and beyond your control. Some cases conclude in months while others take years. Your counselor will work with you throughout the process until the case is resolved. Cases are generally concluded either through a guilty plea and sentencing as part of a negotiated resolution, a guilty verdict and sentencing at the conclusion of a trial, or an acquittal. We hope that you will consider your counselor as a resource and call us with questions or concerns as needed.