Victim Assistance

The Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Division educates crime victims about the criminal justice process and provides information about the social service agencies that can best handle their particular needs.

Services are available to victims of assault, homicide, sexual assault, robbery, kidnapping, or any other cases involving serious bodily injury and to relatives of deceased victims.

Upon indictment of a felony case, or acceptance of an applicable misdemeanor case by the Criminal District Attorney’s office, the Victim Assistance Division sends a contact packet to the crime victim. The packet contains an introduction letter, informational brochures, Victim Impact Statements for victim to complete, and applications for Crime Victims’ Compensation.

Victims are encouraged to keep in contact with the coordinator assigned to their case. The coordinators will provide victims with docket dates, jail status, case disposition, information about available social services and information about the VINE program. They will offer assistance in completing the Crime Victims’ Compensation application and the Victim Impact Statement, and help victims understand and cope with courtroom procedure and policies.

The Victim Assistance Division also provides courtroom accompaniment as needed during court proceedings. Other agencies, such as CCCAC (Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center), MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and the Rape Crisis Center (The Turning Point) may provide court accompaniment as well. The Victim Assistance Division provides a comfortable waiting area, away from the courts and media, where victims and/or their families can relax and feel secure during the course of a trial.

The Victim Assistance Division provides an established place where victims can turn in their search for justice and understanding. By devoting significant resources to crime victims, the Collin County Criminal District Attorney’s office seeks to make their journey through the criminal justice system as comforting as possible, while representing their interests and helping to protect their rights.

Melissa White, Victim Assistance Coordinator – Ext. 4341; mawhite@collincountytx.gov

TEXAS VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday):

Collin County is a participant in the TEXAS VINE program. TEXAS VINE provides a crime victim with easy-to-obtain basic information and notifications on jailed suspects/offenders and their scheduled court events. This is a free service available to the public and designed specifically to better serve crime victims. TEXAS VINE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both Spanish and English.

Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis encourages victims to make TEXAS VINE part of their safety plan. Offenders will never know whether victims are registered with TEXAS VINE. However, victims should not depend solely on TEXAS VINE for their protection. If a victim feels threatened by an offender, they should take precautions as if the inmate were already released. If any victims or witness receives any threat, they should immediately contact the arresting agency to report the matter.

For more information about the VINE program, please call (877) 894-8463. You can also visit the VINE website at www.vinelink.com.

Collin County Resources:

Assistance Center – (972) 422-1850 http://www.assistancecenter.org/

CASA – (972) 529-2272 http://casaofcollincounty.org/

Children’s Advocacy Center – (972) 633-6600 http://www.caccollincounty.org/

District Attorney Victim Services – (972) 548-4435

Emily’s Place – (972) 424-7775 https://emilysplacetx.org/

The Family Place – (214) 941-1991
http://www.familyplace.org

Family Watchdog – (888) 510-2879 http://www.familywatchdog.us/

Frisco Family Services – http://friscofamilyservices.org/

Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support – (214) 946-4357 http://www.genesisshelter.org/

Guardians of the Children – http://www.guardiansofthechildren.com/