Victim centered. Truth driven.
Our organization partners with volunteer attorneys to provide crime victims with legal representation throughout a criminal prosecution.
getVOCAL for Victims was created by experienced prosecutors and victim advocates to give true meaning to crime victim’s rights by providing fee-free legal representation to crime victims, the only non-profit organization to do so in Contra Costa County.
Services Provided
When you or someone you love becomes a victim of crime, navigating the criminal justice system can feel overwhelming—and too often, victims and their families feel like their voices are being lost along the way. getVOCAL for Victims provides free support and advocacy to crime victims and their families, helping them understand the court process, stay informed about their case, and make sure their voices are heard. We work with victims who feel left out of the process, are struggling to get information from the District Attorney’s Office, or have concerns about how their case is being handled or the sentence imposed. You do not have to navigate the system alone. We are here to help you understand your rights, advocate for your interests, and ensure that your voice has a place in the courtroom. You have a right to be heard.
Through education and community outreach, getVOCAL also works to equip law students, attorneys, and the public with knowledge of victims’ rights—amplifying victims’ voices and ensuring they have a meaningful opportunity to be heard within the criminal justice system.
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Potential clients looking for support should reach out to us to have an intake appointment so we can learn more about your case and advise if we are able to assist.
Step 1: Send an email to getvocalforvictims@gmail.com. Please send us details about the nature of the crime, including dates, county the crime was committed in, where the case stands and what help you are looking for. Please also include a phone number and email for us to contact you.
Step 2: getVocal will contact you for a brief intake interview to gather more information about your case
Step 3: If we can assist you, you will be assigned an advocate lawyer getVOCAL
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getVOCAL for Victims developed a comprehensive Victims’ Rights course to help ensure that crime victims understand their rights and available resources. In addition, our training curriculum is currently being piloted with local law enforcement agencies to increase awareness of our organization and ensure that victims are informed about how to access our free advocacy and support services.
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getVOCAL for Victims welcomes opportunities to engage with the community and participate in local festivals, events, and outreach activities. We also provide educational presentations, seminars, and guest speakers for organizations interested in learning more about the experiences and needs of crime victims and their families. When appropriate, our programs can incorporate firsthand perspectives, presentations, and testimonials from victims and their family members, providing a meaningful and personal understanding of the impact of crime and the importance of victim advocacy.
Client Testimonials
“Life completely changed the night my ex terrorized my family. I had NO IDEA how to begin the process of dealing with a domestic violence case let alone even ADMITTING that I was a victim! Consulting with a getVOCAL rep gave me the confidence to move forward with a plan and resources to get through it all."
“What do you do when you don't know what to do? How do you know who to trust? My getVOCAL advocate made me feel feel like someone understood what I was trying to say even when it was hard to talk about. As a witness to a serious crime, I felt safer after they stepped in. It's like they were my voice!”
“I had no idea about Marsy's Law or the kind of rights that were now available to me and my family during my attacker's prosecution. getVOCAL advocates explained everything and really made me feel like MY VOICE MATTERED. It was tough. But, I appreciated being present in court for the whole trial.”
Meet Our Team
Mary Knox
President
Clare Scherer Volunteer Attorney
Mary Melgoza
Board Member
Chad Mahalich Board Member
Dara Cashman
Volunteer Attorney
Julie Scaff Administrative Director
Ehsun Forghany Board Member
Bev Brown Secretary
Jack Scaff
Treasurer
Alison Chandler Vice President
Support Our Work
Recent changes in California and federal law, along with evolving court decisions and criminal justice policies, have created increasingly complex challenges for victims of crime and their families. While Victim Witness Advocates provide valuable support, they are not attorneys and cannot provide legal representation or advocate for victims in court. getVOCAL’s mission is to bridge this critical gap by ensuring that victims have access to experienced legal counsel to protect their rights and interests throughout the criminal justice process—including trial, appeals, and parole proceedings.
Your support makes this work possible. Please consider donating to getVOCAL to help provide victims and their families with the legal representation and advocacy they need to have their voices heard and their rights protected.
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