SIOUX FALLS (AP) - A South Dakota advisory group is working to develop a more effective and efficient system for notifying crime victims of any change in the status of those who have hurt them.
The 20-member task force, created by Attorney General Marty Jackley, has been meeting since June to develop an online program to offer victims quick notifications. The panel includes law enforcement officers, news organizations, prosecutors, victims and lawyers for defendants.
The State Automated Victim Information and Notification System will alert victims of changes in an offender’s status through phone calls, text messages or email.
South Dakota is one of three states that doesn’t have an automated crime victim notification system. Financial barriers kept the state from adopting such a system in the past, but a $790,000 budget is now in place to get one developed and operating by July 15, 2015, Jackley told the Argus Leader.
Jackley said he hopes SAVIN will benefit victims, defendants, witnesses and loved ones from the families of both victims and those accused of crimes.
ADVERTISEMENT
While the public will be made more aware of information about offenders, confidential documents will be limited to parties involved in cases.
The system is designed to prevent situations such as the one experienced by Jamie Murray, 33, of Sioux Falls.
Murray last year filed a stalking protection order against Courtney Young, 23. She accused Young of breaking into her home, taking a shower, lying in her bed and eating food.
Murray called police to report the incident, and Young was picked up the next day after he returned to Murray’s home. She said she later received a letter notifying her that Young had violated the protection order she had taken out twice.
Murray said she was shocked because she was not aware that Young hadn’t been locked up.
“No one called and told me that he was out; I found out a year later,” she said.
According to court documents, Murray pleaded guilty to entering or refusing to leave, a misdemeanor charge. His sentence of 180 days was suspended on condition that he have no contact with Murray and have no more trespassing and burglary charges.
