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What
to Expect if You're the Victim of a Crime
By Sheriff Ted Mink
 Nobody wakes up in the morning and thinks, "I'll
probably be the victim of a crime today." We all go about life hoping
-- and even expecting -- not to bear the brunt of a criminal act. But as
John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you're busy making
other plans. Despite falling crime rates
in Jeffco and nationwide, no one is immune to crime. Be it hit-and-run,
identity theft, domestic violence or robbery, it could happen to you. So if
it happens ... what happens next?
The First Deputy
In Jefferson County, when you report a crime, dispatchers will prioritize
your call. If the event involves serious injury, or if the crime is still
in progress, the call will be labeled "priority one" and deputies
will be dispatched as quickly as possible, with lights flashing and sirens
wailing. They may be pulled away from other calls to respond to yours.
For calls not considered
urgent, a deputy's arrival time may depend on the other calls coming in
from around the county. In the aftermath of a crime, a victim may be on an
emotional rollercoaster, and waiting for law enforcement may seem like
eternity. Remember, emergencies are always handled first.
Upon arrival, a deputy will
first seek to make you (and the crime scene) safe. Then he/she will ask a
lot of questions in order to complete a thorough report. Many of our
deputies are certified crime scene techs, and carry digital cameras and
other evidence-collection tools for use at a scene.
Before deputies arrive, you
may be feeling violated and may instinctively want to make things look and
feel right again. Refrain from cleaning or moving items in the crime scene.
Allow the deputy to determine whether DNA, fingerprints or other evidence
can be collected first.
Your case will be assigned
a number, which you can use to reference your case at any point in the
future.
Investigation
Felony crimes are assigned to an investigator, who takes the baton from the
first responder. Depending on the type of offense, he or she may arrive in
person to investigate and conduct interviews, or may conduct interviews at
the Sheriff's Office or by phone.
Each investigator is
trained in his/her area of specialty: computer crimes, crimes against
children, property crimes, etc. For a large or complex crime scene,
forensics specialists from our crime lab may be called in
to collect evidence.
Cases where a suspect has
been arrested are almost always followed by criminal charges from the
District Attorney's Office. Cases involving strong evidence or witnesses,
but no suspect, will require more investigation until the suspect can be
identified and arrested. Cases with little or no evidence or witnesses
often depend on tips from the public, a link to a larger crime spree, or
some other significant breakthrough to move the case along.
Victim Advocates
Sheriff's Office victim advocates
provide support to victims of violent crime and trauma 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. They typically arrive in the aftermath of events like assault,
arson, child abuse or death. Your advocate is your personal liaison with
the Sheriff's Office, and is responsible for keeping you informed
throughout the criminal justice process.
District Attorney
(DA) and Court
After your case is filed with the DA, the DA will take the lead in
communicating with you about your case throughout the court process.
Sheriff's investigators will stay involved behind the scenes, working
alongside the prosecutor.
Our Common Goal
We strive to prevent crime and make Jefferson County a safer place to live
and work. When crime occurs, our goals are the same as yours: prosecution for
the offender, and peace of mind for you.
Many crimes -- especially
property crimes -- are crimes of opportunity. By taking steps to reduce
opportunity for criminals, you can reduce your chances of becoming a
victim. Learn more about preventing crime at www.jeffcosheriff.com.
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Always dial 911 in an
emergency or to report a crime in progress. To report a non-emergency, call
303-277-0211. You can report certain types of minor crimes online at www.jeffcosheriff.com.
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