John Tyson, Jr. Delivers Life And Property Saving Innovations To Citizens And Local Law Enforcement By:

Identifying programs that help victims and sharing them with local law enforcement

What John Is Doing NOW:

John's FOR ALL OF US campaign identifies successful programs that aid crime victims and shares them with local law enforcement.

Good Samaritans -- Organizes volunteers to help crime victims with repairs and recovery (from Mobile County District Attorney's Office, Mobile Command of the Salvation Army, Family Counseling Center and Volunteer Mobile).

+ Good Samaritan Program: click to show (or hide) more information

Good Samaritans are volunteers who are involved in fighting crime. For many years, police officers investigating crimes have been frustrated because they could offer victims little help. Good Samaritans has changed that. Because of the program, police officers can now aid victims by putting them in touch with Good Samaritan volunteers who can help them and can enlist additional help from social service agencies. Good Samaritan volunteers help victims of crime, enable law enforcement to provide more help, guide social service agencies to people who need help.

The Mobile County District Attorney's Office received a grant from the Office for Victims ot Crime for national replication of the "Good Samaritans" program developed by John Tyson.

Good Samaritan programs are in operation or under way in Mobile and Prichard, Alabama and in Jackson County, Mississippi. Programs are planned for Elmore County (tri-county jurisdiction), Jefferson County and Saraland in Alabama; Tulsa and Oklahoma City in Oklahoma and in Anderson County, Texas.

Click here to review and download the Good Samaritan crime victim information brochure.

Click here to review and download the Good Samaritan volunteer newsletter.

For more information, contact: Martha Simmons/Mobile County District Attorney's Office at 251-574-8400.

Victim Services -- After being the victim of a crime or witness to a crime comes involvement in the justice system. The legal process can be confusing, especially to those who are still hurting emotionally, physically or financially from the crime itself. This service assists victims of crime, their families, and witnesses throughout the criminal justice process. This program, which includes individual services and regularly scheduled classes, helps victims understand the court process and their rights.
+ Victims Services: click to show (or hide) more information

People are more comfortable when they know what to expect. The Victim Services orientation classes take victims into the courtroom and explain the overall process to help them work with the prosecutor in their cases. Special classes are held for young victims who might otherwise be overwhelmed by the courtroom experience. Other classes are specifically for victims of juvenile offenders, since different laws apply in those cases.

Services to victims go beyond the boundaries of the justice system by referring victims to programs that offer counseling or practical services (such as those offered by the Good Samaritans). Victim Services' goal is to provide whatever it takes to help victims on their path to recovery.

For more information, contact: Linda Pearce/Mobile County District Attorney's Office at 251-574-8400.

Worthless Check Prevention/Recovery -- Recovers worthless checks for citizens and business. The process, with clear, step-by-step instructions and sample letters is available on the Mobile County District Attorney's web site. $21 million in worthless checks and fines have been recovered for citizens and businesses in Mobile County. Part of the fines paid by the offenders help to fund the District Attorney's Office--money that is used to prosecute serious crimes (from Mobile County District Attorney's Office).

What John Will Do As ATTORNEY GENERAL:

John will research other victim services programs and make them available to local law enforcement throughout Alabama.