Victim Services

Jessie Geerts– Victim/Witness Coordinator
Phone: 563-652-3214
Fax: 563-652-3051
jgeerts@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov

The Victim Witness Services within the Jackson County Attorney's Office in Jackson County, Iowa, offers comprehensive assistance, guidance, and resources to victims and witnesses involved in criminal cases. Our dedicated team is focused on ensuring that victims and witnesses are treated with dignity, while providing the necessary assistance to navigate the legal process effectively.

Our range of services includes updates regarding important court proceedings, referrals to local support services, legal protection of victims and witnesses from the accused, and assistance in assessing and requesting restitution. We also provide information on the conviction, sentencing, incarceration, and release of offenders, to keep victims and witnesses informed during the legal process.

Upon request, witnesses will receive notifications about significant developments in court proceedings, convictions, and sentencing. We are dedicated to providing support to witnesses, including guidance and support during the trial process, arranging necessary travel accommodations or offering specialized services when necessary to meet individual needs.

At the Jackson County Attorney's Office, we are committed to serving our community by providing essential services to victims and witnesses. We assist victims and witnesses in navigating the complexities of the legal system with the respect and compassion they deserve. For more information, please contact our Victim/Witness Coordinator at (563) 652-3214 or via email at jgeerts@jacksoncounty.iowa.gov.

Additional Victim Services

Victim Advocates - ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support)

Please contact ACCESS at their website, or call one of their crisis lines:

• Sexual Abuse Crisis Line: 1-800-203-3488
• Domestic Violence Crisis Line: 1-855-983-4641
• Shelter Services Crisis Line: 1-855-696-2980

Iowa Crime Victim's Helpline

• Call 1-800-770-1650
• Text IOWAHELP to 20121

For Crime Victim Compensation

If you have been a victim of a crime and suffered a financial loss or burden, our office can seek restitution, but you may also be eligible for benefits from the Iowa Crime Victim Compensation Program:

• Iowa Attorney General Website
• Call 1-800-373-5044

For notifications, if an offender has been released from custody or transferred

• IowaVINE Website
• Call 1-888-742-8463

Victim Confidentiality

Iowa's Safe at Home program offers an address confidentiality program.

• Iowa's Safe at Home Website
• Call 1-515-725-7233

Other Resources

• Iowa Legal Aid
  • Call 1-800-532-1503
• Iowa Sex Offender Registry
• Iowa Department of Corrections

Status of a Case

Iowa courts allow anyone to search for cases and to look at the docket of filings in a case. For criminal cases, a trial date is normally set to assure that the case is not lost in the court system. If you are the victim or a witness in a case, the prosecutor will contact you to let you know if the trial will go on the scheduled date. The disposition in a case is also listed when the case is disposed. For any other questions please contact our office at (563) 652-3214.

Crime Victim Rights

Who is a victim of Crime?

For the purpose of victim rights, a victim is defined as a person who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result of a crime. The term victim also includes immediate family members of a murder victim as well as a victim who was rendered incompetent as a result of the offense.

The Right to a Victim Advocate

The Iowa code 915.20 mandates that a victim counselor, advocating at the request of a victim, is granted access to any proceedings related to the offense.

To contact an advocate, victims may call a local victim service program, or call an advocate with the Iowa Attorney General's Crime Victim Compensation Program.

The Right to Crime Victim Compensation

The Crime Victim Compensation Program of the Iowa Attorney General's Office pays out-of-pocket expenses incurred by victims as a result of injury and death from crime.

To inquire about eligibility or to file an application, call the program toll free at (800) 373-5044 or at (515) 281-5044.

The Right to Victim Notification

Since July 1, 1986, victims of crime, other than simple misdemeanors, have the right to register, in writing, with the county attorney in order to be notified of the status of their case and their rights as crime victims.

Victim Notification Procedures

Law enforcement is required to advise victims of the right to register and provide a request for registration form. These forms are also available at the office of the Jackson County Attorney.

Victims must complete the registration form and submit the form to the county attorney prosecuting the case.

The county attorney is required to forward the registration form to other appropriate agencies, including law enforcement, the clerk of court, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, the Iowa Department of Corrections, and the Iowa Board of Parole.

The appropriate agency will provide ongoing notification to the registered victim by mail.
Be sure to keep your current address on file with the offices where you are registered.

The Right to Victim Restitution

At sentencing, an offender can be ordered to pay the victim restitution. Restitution means payment of crime related expenses to a victim by an offender.

Victims must submit all out-of-pocket expenses to the county attorney's office and the county attorney shall request that the offender be ordered to pay restitution.

Since 1997, judges are required to order offenders to pay $150,000 to the estate of a victim killed as a result of a crime. This amount is to be ordered beyond the restitution ordered to victims for out-of-pocket expenses.

The Right to a Victim Impact Statement

At the time of sentencing, a victim or survivor has the right to submit a victim impact statement to the court. This statement may be presented in person or in writing.

The statement affords victims the opportunity to publicly state the effects of crime on themselves and their families. This statement is not offered to determine guilt.

A victim may seek the assistance of advocates or survivors when preparing and presenting the victim impact statement.