(a) There is created in each judicial district the position of victim-witness coordinator to be appointed by the district attorney general. The duties of the victim-witness coordinator shall include:

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 8-7-206

  • Attorney general: means the attorney general and reporter and any assistant thereto by whatever name known, any district attorney general and any assistant thereto by whatever name called, and any officer or full-time employee of the general assembly or any committee thereof established by statute, who is duly licensed to practice law in Tennessee, whose duty it is to provide facilities for drafting bills or to assist individual legislators in drafting bills or who renders legal advice and services to the members of the general assembly or committees thereof. See Tennessee Code 8-34-101
  • Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
  • Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(1) After the return of an indictment or presentment, advising victims of their rights under title 40, chapter 38, part 1;
(2) After the return of an indictment or presentment, keeping victims and witnesses informed of court dates and actions affecting their cases, including evidentiary hearings, trial dates, and sentencing hearings as provided for in § 40-38-111;
(3) After the return of an indictment or presentment, assisting victims and witnesses to better understand the way the criminal justice system works, including the procedure and basis for continuances of cases and the procedure involved in the plea bargaining process;
(4) After the return of an indictment or presentment, assisting victims to become more involved in the processes which affect the perpetrator of the crime, such as the plea bargaining process, including presentence reports and the sentencing hearing itself;
(5) Assisting in obtaining restitution to victims of crime directly from the perpetrator of the crime when possible; and
(6) Assisting eligible victims in obtaining benefits from the criminal injuries compensation program.
(b) There are created, in ten (10) judicial districts to be designated by the executive director of the Tennessee district attorneys general conference, the positions of assistant victim-witness coordinator.
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