DISTRICT ATTORNEY, Vicki Behenna

Welcome to the Oklahoma County Victim Witness Center. You are here because you were either a witness or a victim of a crime. The Witness Center was created as a courtesy with the intent of giving victims and witnesses a comfortable area to wait for court. We understand appearing as a witness can be stressful and an inconvenience, we will attempt to make your time spent here as comfortable as possible. Hostile, abusive or profane language and/or actions will not be tolerated. Please conduct yourself in a respectful manner. If you are a defendant with pending charges you must check in, but will need to wait elsewhere.

Witness Fee Information

You are entitled to a witness fee for appearing in court. A witness fee is $10 a day plus mileage. The District Attorney's Office will mail it to you within 3 to 4 weeks to help cover your parking and mileage expenses. The amount is dictated by legislation. You should be given a witness fee form to sign when you check in, if not, please do so before leaving.

General Center Information

• It is important that if you are parked at a parking meter that you keep your meeting plugged at all times or move to a garage or lot. Parking enforcement can ticket your vehicle if it is parked at a meter all day, even if it's being plugged. We cannot take care of any parking tickets.
• There are vending machines located in the Witness Center along with coffee and water. A snack bar is located on the ground floor of the building and at the courthouse.
• The restrooms are located out the door to the right and the left. Please notify a staff member if you need to leave the Witness Center for any reason, in the event we call your name for court.
• It is important that you understand that children cannot be left unattended. Please remember that parents and/or guardians are responsible for their children. We are sorry, but we cannot provide any type of child care.
• If there are other witnesses waiting to testify on the same case, please do not discuss your testimony with the other witnesses.

Case Schedule

Morning

Your subpoena time has you arriving 30 minutes before the court case is scheduled. The Judge starts calling the docket at 9 a.m. There are several cases set on the same docket as yours. It is up to the Judge to decide the order of hearings; the District Attorney's Office has no say in the order in which the Judge calls his/her docket. The Victim Witness Center will notify the Assistant District Attorney assigned to your case that you are here upon your arrival.

The Assistant District Attorney will discuss your testimony with you before you testify. The Victim Witness Center Advocate will keep you advised of your case status and escort you to the courtroom. Your case can take anywhere from 20 minutes, to 2  hours, to most of the day. Each case is dependent upon:

• Whether or not all witnesses are in attendance
• The number of cases on the Judge's docket
• The length of time it takes to put on the hearing prior to yours
• If the defendant chooses to plead guilty, the time necessary to complete the paperwork

Afternoon

If your case is not heard before noon, you will be excused for lunch at approximately Noon and asked to return the Victim Witness Center by 1:30 p.m. There are several restaurants located within walking distance of the courthouse. If you move your vehicle from a parking lot or garage, you will have to pay again upon re-entering.

Victim Services

Victim Witness Center

The center provides a waiting area for crime victims and witnesses waiting to testify. Defendants are not allowed in the center. Please alert staff immediately if the alleged perpetrator is in or around the center.

Verification Letters

If you need a letter to take back to your employer or school to verify your appearance on the day of your court case, please notify the staff before you leave.

Crime Victims Compensation

The center assists violent crime victims with applying for medical expenses, work loss, counseling, and funeral expenses. If you would like an application, please request one from the staff, or you can call 405-713-1634 or 405-713-2328 for questions and assistance if filing.

Restitution

Victims who have monetary loss or property damage due to the crime, need to document their losses so that there is a possibility of receiving reimbursement from the alleged defendant. Please keep copies of all estimates, bills, statements, etc. and contact the District Attorney's Restitution Division at 405-713-2245 to request a form.

Property Release

Victims who need assistance in recovering their personal property from law enforcement agencies when it is no longer needed as evidence can contact the Property Return Clerk at 405-713-1753.

Referrals

The Victim Witness Center staff will be happy to provide you with referrals for services, counseling, shelters and the Homicide Survivors Support Group. There are several pamphlets and brochures regarding referrals in the center. Please feel free to take any that are of interest to you.

Address Confidentiality Program

The Address Confidentiality Program (PDF) allows the state to contribute to the safety of victims by denying abusers the opportunity to use public records as a means to violate the rights of others. Once again, thank you for your assistance. The participation of each witness is vital to the successful prosecution of each and every case.

Oklahoma statute defines domestic abuse as "any act of physical harm, or the threat of imminent physical harm which is committed by an adult, emancipated minor, or minor child 13 years of age or older against another adult, emancipated minor or minor child who are family or household members or who are or were in a dating relationship." Domestic violence involves a pattern of behavior as opposed to a single isolated incident. Perpetrators and victims are of every age, gender, race religion, ethnicity and social status.

Prosecution

All Prosecutors work closely with local law enforcement to gather evidence, work with the victim to encourage participation in the judicial process, and educate victims, families and offenders on breaking the cycle of violence. The dedicated Domestic Violence Prosecution Team works closely with the Domestic Violence Victim Advocate to provide the extra attention victims need. Service referrals, safety planning, and aggressive prosecution of the abuser is implemented and the Domestic Violence Team strives for a ‘no dismissal' policy through effective, timely and evidence based prosecution.

Reducing Violence

The Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office is committed to reducing violence in Oklahoma County and is evident through community partnerships and collaborations. The Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office actively participated in the creation of a Coordinated Community Response Team, with the purpose of creating systematic change, resulting in a community where victims are safe and abusers are held accountable.

The Domestic Violence Prosecution Team also facilitates quarterly Court School in which victims, and their friends and family are educated on the court process and what to expect throughout their experience. View more information on Court School (PDF)

The District Attorney's Office Homicide Victims Advocate Division is here to assist you and your family through the criminal court system, a sometimes lengthy process that is quite often confusing and frustrating. We understand that you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure about what to expect next. Our hope is with the following information and the District Attorney's Office, we will be able to answer many of your questions and give you and your family the guidance and support you need.

Our Goals

Our goal is to make sure each victim is treated with fairness, dignity and respect throughout the criminal justice system process. Our system of justice is complex in nature and may appear to the ordinary citizen to be filled with people who are much more comfortable in the culture and the language of law then the majority of citizens who become crime victims. The victims of crime deserve to be educated on the system. Our objective is to demystify and humanize the process in such a way that much, if not all of the uneasiness is put aside prior to entering the courthouse.

Homicide Family Coordinators

In the Victim Services Division, your Advocate will make every attempt to help you and your family through this traumatic time. Please feel free to reach out to Laurie Baymore at (405) 713-1637 or Stacey Spurlock at (405) 713-6279 with any questions or anytime you need an update on your case. Your Advocate is here for you and is available to assist you as much as you need.

Types of Court Proceedings

To help you better understand the court process, you can view some of the different types of court proceedings (PDF) in the order which they may go. It is not uncommon for some of these proceedings to be delayed or continued. Jury Trials very seldom go on the first setting due to large dockets and preparation time for these types of cases.

Helpful Links & Information for Victims

• Plea Negotiations (PDF): A plea agreement is a negotiated outcome in a criminal case in which a prosecutor and a defendant agree to a disposition of the charges against the defendant
• Victim Bill of Rights (PDF): A list of rights that victim/witness is entitled to
• Preparing for Trial: Provides you with notes and guidelines dealing with how to prepare for the trial and its process
• Courtroom Procedure (PDF): Describes the general procedure of the courtroom. It is suggested that you are aware of the procedures before your trial
• Victim Impact Letter Outline (PDF): The purpose of this outline is to assist you in putting you own thoughts on paper or for an oral presentation to the court. The format is only a suggestion
• Victim Impact Statement (PDF): Assists you with your impact statement
• Helpful Information (PDF)
• Dealing with the Media (PDF): A list of guidelines for the victims who choose to deal with the media
• Counselor List (PDF): A list of counselors that some of our claimants have expressed has proven beneficial in their process of healing. You are not required to use any of the listed providers
• Victim Notification (PDF): Form  to notify us of a victim
• OK Vine (PDF): OK VINE is a free, 24-hour, confidential, computer-assisted service that provides Victim Information and Notification Everyday
• Helpful Resources (PDF): Helpful organizations including information for the Homicide Survivors Support Group and Murder Victim Memorial Poster creation

The Oklahoma County Juvenile Bureau is responsible for receiving, evaluating and determining appropriate action pertaining to persons under the age of 18, found within Oklahoma County and alleged to be delinquent or in need of supervision. Additionally, the Bureau carries out orders of the Juvenile Division of the District Court and serves all process regarding juvenile matters.

• Safety - A commitment to public Safety, to providing a safe environment for youth and their families to receive services and care, and to provide a safe work environment for staff.
• Optimizing Potential - Assisting youth to identify and utilize their strengths rather than only focusing on weaknesses. Assisting and guiding staff to fully develop their potential.
• Accountability - Holding youth accountable for their behavior and at the same time, providing appropriate intervention to restore their ability to live in the community. Holding staff accountable to bureau goals and objectives in order to meet the needs of our community.
• Relationships - Teaching youth how to relate effectively within their family and their community. Expecting staff to develop healthy relationships with youth, their families, their peers, and the community we serve, developing effective partnerships throughout the community.

For more information and helpful links, view the Victim Resources (PDF).