The mission of the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office Victims' Services Unit is to ensure the rights of victims are protected while providing advocacy and support by extending compassionate and knowledgeable service to all victims of crime in Orangeburg County.
- Victims' Services Flyer
- Victims' Services - Victim Impact Statement Letter
- Victims' Services - Victim Impact Statement
Director of Victims' Services - Chandra McPherson
As the Director of Victims' Services, Chandra McPherson is responsible for implementing programs and activities into the community highlighting the services offered by the Victims' Services Unit. She assists in the training of advocates and law enforcement on meeting the needs of crime victims through out the county. McPherson returns to the Sheriff's Office after holding positions with the State Office of Victim Assistance (SOVA) and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
McPherson is a graduate of the first South Carolina Victim Assistance Academy. She is a member of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Victim Advocate Association and in 2006 became a certified Crisis Responder by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). She has also been certificated as a victim service provider by South Carolina's Office of Victim Services Education and Certification.
How We Assist You
When a crime is committed in Orangeburg County, one of the primary concerns of the Sheriff's Office is the victim. In an effort to ensure the rights of the victim, the Sheriff's Office has established a Victims' Services Unit. Crime victims often suffer emotional trauma, fear, confusion, and financial loss. It is our goal to make contact with the victim and maintain a relationship as long as we are needed.
Services provided include:
- Provide emotional and moral support
- Identify and inform victims of their rights under the law
- Conduct on the scene crisis intervention
- Act as a liaison between victim, police officers, investigators, and community-based agencies
- Arrange for professional counseling and support groups
- Provide information and referral
- Educate law enforcement and victims of new law pertaining to specific victimization such as domestic violence
- Provide applications and information to victims concerning South Carolina Crime Victims' Compensation; explain purpose, procedures, and policies, and assist in completion of forms
- Intervene on behalf of victims with creditors, employers, etc...upon request
- Help prepare victims for court and provide court advocacy and accompaniment
- Provide information regarding current status of case
- Provide information on rights, services and procedures if a victim or witness is harassed or threatened
- Provide transportation to and from court
- Advocate on behalf of victim in court in the absence of the victim
- CDV Orientation twice a month
- Provide immediate crisis response with getting domestic violence victim into shelters
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q. |
If I need to find out about the status of my case or make an adjustment to the information to my report
who do I contact? |
| A. |
There are several options that you can consider.
|
| Q. |
After the bond hearing what happens next? |
| A. |
If the case has a General Sessions charge, you will be contacted by the Solicitor's Office Victims'
Advocate. If it is a Magistrate level charge then the Magistrates Court will notify you in addition to a
Victims' Advocate from the Sheriff's Office about the status of the case. |
| Q. |
How will I know if the suspect in my case has been released from the Orangeburg Calhoun Detention
Center? |
| A. | A representative from the Detention Center will contact the victim(s) in the case upon release of the suspect. If you need further information , please contact the Detention Center at (803) 531-4658. |
Victims' Bill of Rights
To preserve and protect victims' rights to justice and due process regardless of race, sex, age, religion, or economic status, victims of crime have the right to:
- Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity;
- Be free from intimidation or harm throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process;
- Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity;
- Be reasonably informed about criminal proceedings;
- Be informed if the accused is arrested, released, or escapes;
- Confer with the prosecution before the case is heard in court;
- Be present at criminal proceedings where the accused has the right to be present;
- Be heard at proceedings affecting bond, bail, release, pleas, or sentencing;
- Have reasonable access to documents relating to the crime before trial;
- Receive restitution from the adult or juvenile offenders;
- A reasonable, prompt, and final conclusion of the case;
The penalty for violating the Victims' Bill of Rights is:
- Writ of mandamus, issued by Supreme Court or Circuit Court to require compliance.
Staff Contact Information
Thais Britt
(803) 534-4307
TBritt@OrangeburgCounty.org
Tom Brown
(803) 534-4306
TBrown@OrangeburgCounty.org
Karen R. Sanders
(803) 533-5819
KSanders@OrangeburgCounty.org