Comparing Victim/Witness Procedures: USA vs. Poland

• In Event: Comparative and International Justice Policies and Practices

Abstract

This paper will present a process evaluation of comparing victim/witness procedures in the United States, specifically the Essex County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office to similar procedures by the National Polish Police in Warsaw, Poland. The study will focus on how victims and witnesses are treated from the initial encounter with law enforcement to the many other criminal agencies they encounter through their entire process of being involved with the criminal justice system as a victim or a witness to a crime. Results will be based on the analysis of interviews with law enforcement, attorneys, prosecutors and judges in Essex County. In addition, responses will be included from staff from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Unit who work with victims and witnesses. These results will be compared to interviews with criminal justice agents in the National Polish Police to compare their practices to their counterparts in the United States.

Author

• Joanna A. Mlicka-Anderko, Rutgers University