| Q: How long will I be at court as a witness? |
| Q: I am a defendant and I dont like the attorney who is representing me or I cant get in touch with my attorney. Can I talk to a deputy district attorney about my case? |
| Q: I am a defendant and I want a copy of the police report. How do I get a copy? Is there any cost? |
| Q: I am a senior citizen and know that I could use some help with transportation and cleaning around the house, but I dont want to ask. I have heard that Adult Protective Services (APS) just comes in and the next thing you know, you are locked up in a nursing home. Im scared of that. |
| Q: I am a witness on a case. Do I need to come to court each day? |
| Q: I am supposed to come to court to testify but am afraid of the defendant. Will I be able to testify by way of a one way mirror or a videotaped interview? |
| Q: I dont think that Mom (or Dad) takes proper care of herself (himself), and I cant do much because I live too far away. Where can I find a good caregiver who wont take advantage of the situation? |
| Q: I dont want to be pushed into leaving him. I just want information and help. What can I do? |
| Q: I have a complaint about my attorney. Who do I contact? |
| Q: I have a complaint about the DAs Office. Whom do I contact to report this complaint? |
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| Q: How long will I be at court as a witness? |
| A: Your courtroom time, while actually testifying, may not take long; it depends upon many factors. The majority of your time at court will be spent waiting to testify. You and your family and friends are encouraged to bring a book or magazine to read while you wait. |
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| Q: I am a defendant and I dont like the attorney who is representing me or I cant get in touch with my attorney. Can I talk to a deputy district attorney about my case? |
| A: No. All attorneys are governed by a code of ethics which prevents them from speaking directly with any defendant who has an attorney. Therefore, any questions you have should be directed toward your attorney. If necessary, you may attempt to address the judge on this issue. |
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| Q: I am a defendant and I want a copy of the police report. How do I get a copy? Is there any cost? |
A: You or your attorney will be given a free copy of your police report when you are arraigned on the charges.
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| Q: I am a senior citizen and know that I could use some help with transportation and cleaning around the house, but I dont want to ask. I have heard that Adult Protective Services (APS) just comes in and the next thing you know, you are locked up in a nursing home. Im scared of that. |
| A: Adult Protective Services (APS) is a division of the Orange County Department of Social Services. Their social workers exist to provide help as needed to elderly persons. Much of that help involves providing in-home care support. They can help arrange transportation, as well as provide other vitally needed services that can keep elder persons in their homes and apartments. APS workers have no police power, and cannot order an elderly person to do anything that the person does not want to do. The APS worker can also be the link to other agencies in the community that provide help to this population. |
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| Q: I am a witness on a case. Do I need to come to court each day? |
| A: No. If you call the number listed on the subpoena to be placed "on call", you will not have to come to court until needed. |
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| Q: I am supposed to come to court to testify but am afraid of the defendant. Will I be able to testify by way of a one way mirror or a videotaped interview? |
| A: You do need to be in court to be questioned by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney. Please be assured that you will be accompanied at all times by a Victim Witness Advocate. The Advocate will assist you throughout the court process up to and including sentencing, and then follow up with counseling and other support services by way of referrals. The defendant is prohibited from having any direct contact with you. The courtroom also has law enforcement officer(s) who provide(s) security. |
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| Q: I dont think that Mom (or Dad) takes proper care of herself (himself), and I cant do much because I live too far away. Where can I find a good caregiver who wont take advantage of the situation? |
| A: There is no easy solution for this situation because there are no defined standards for caregivers in California. While there are many agencies that will provide caregivers, there are no minimum qualifications or licensing requirements that will assist in determining whether any given agency will send out honest, caring, trustworthy individuals to care for your loved ones. You will have to personally get involved in selecting the caregiver and then monitor their work. |
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| Q: I dont want to be pushed into leaving him. I just want information and help. What can I do? |
| A: Each battered womens shelter has outreach help and walk-in centers where women who arent sure what to do can still get information and help. You dont have to move into the shelter to get help from the people who work there. Contact them for safety planning, for counseling referrals, and for general information about what is available in the community. Click here for domestic violence resources. |
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| Q: I have a complaint about my attorney. Who do I contact? |
| A: Please contact the State Bar of California Attorney Complaint Hotline at (800) 843-9053. |
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| Q: I have a complaint about the DAs Office. Whom do I contact to report this complaint? |
| A: Please write to the Orange County District Attorneys Office, 401 Civic Center Drive W., Santa Ana, CA 92701. Mr. Rackauckas or someone in authority will contact you in writing or by telephone. |
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