COURT ADVOCACY
CVC Staff are located at both the Lehigh and Northampton County Courthouse to provide support, information, and accompaniment to criminal justice proceedings. The information on this page is meant to be a guide to commonly asked questions, for more specific assistance please call our 24-hour hotline at 610-437-6611 to get connected with an advocate.
Tips for Testifying:
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Come to court dress appropriately, nice and neat.
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No chewing gum or candy.
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Always tell the truth.
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Speak loudly and clearly to everyone
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Listen carefully to all the questions, if you did not hear, or do not understand a question ask, "Can you repeat the question"? or say "I do not understand the question."
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Take your time and answer the question directly. Do not add information.
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Be respectful. Remain calm, avoid use of profanities and outbursts.
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If there is an objection, do not answer the question until the judge instructs you to.
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Do not use social media outlets to post or comment on the case.
Notification Systems
Victims of crime have the right to be notified when an offender is released, transferred, or escapes from a county jail or state sentence.
To sign up for notifications, you must register with the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification System (PA SAVIN). You can do this by clicking here or calling 1-866-972-7284.
If the offender is serving a state sentence (24+ months), you have the right to additional services and notification not available to the public. To receive these services, register with the Office of the Victim Advocate.