In The News

Assistance for Victims During COVID19 Crisis

March 26, 2020

During the COVID-19 Health Crisis Albany County DA David Soares wants to assure you that his Office is still here to support victims of crime.  As directives from the Governor’s Office place NY State on “PAUSE” for everyone’s health and safety, the State Courts have suspended all non-essential court proceedings at this time.  As a result we will not be conducting any walk-in hours at the Albany County DA’s Office and encourage all crime victims to seek a safe location to exercise social distancing as much as possible.  While we may not be able to meet with you in our offices, victims of crime are encouraged to contact our office for victim services and “meet” with an Assistant District Attorney (ADA) and/or a Victim Witness Specialist remotely via telephone or video conferencing.  In case of any emergency, please call 9-1-1.

How to Contact Our Office:

Albany County District Attorney’s Office: 518-487-5460 (Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm)

Albany County District Attorney’s Crime Victim Bureau: (518) 694-8445 (monitored voicemail box)

How to meet with our office:

• Download free Skype for Business App from your smart device
• Schedule a day/time with a Victim Witness Specialist and/or ADA.
• Provide us with an email address (the email address associated with your Skype account).
• Check your email for the link to your scheduled meeting.
• Click the link on the day and time of your scheduled meeting.
• If you do not have access (or a safe way to access) the internet and/or a smart device we can also schedule phone conferences to discuss your needs.

Albany County Services Available During COVID-19 for Victims of Crime:

• Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center : 518-447-7100
  • 24 Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 518-447-7716
  • Equinox 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 518-432-7865
  • Albany County Mental Health Support Line : 518-269-6634 (daily 8 am – 5 pm)
  • Mobile Crisis : 518-549-6500
  • New York State Office of Victim Services: 1-800-247-8035 (you may also contact your Albany County DA Office Victim Witness Specialist to assist you in filing a claim with NYS OVS).
  • National Domestic Violence Contacts:
    • 24/7. Call 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-799-7233 for TTY
    • If you are unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522

• Family Court Order of Protection Forms: http://ww2.nycourts.gov/forms/familycourt/index.shtml   

  Assistance can also be found on the DIY function through the Court System’s Web page:  http://www.nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/DIY/index.shtml

  
  
  

  Family Court Order of Protection Forms: http://ww2.nycourts.gov/forms/familycourt/index.shtml   

  Assistance can also be found on the DIY function through the Court System’s Web page:  http://www.nycourts.gov/CourtHelp/DIY/index.shtml

If additional resources are needed, do not hesitate to contact a

Victim Witness Specialist to explore additional 

community resources to assist you during this time. 

Rev. John U. Miller Community Justice Outreach Office