Lawyer Basic Lynn Fitch
The purpose of the SVU unit is to make sure that victims obtain the appropriate care from investigators and prosecutors who’re dealing with their instances.
Mississippi Lawyer Basic Lynn has launched a brand new Particular Victims Unit throughout the workplace to concentrate on crimes dedicated towards youngsters, the aged, adults with particular wants, and victims of sexual assault, human trafficking and home violence.
“Serving to susceptible residents has at all times been a prime precedence for my workplace,” mentioned Lawyer Basic Fitch. “Sufferer-focused crimes are tough instances that require particular consideration from uniquely and extremely skilled investigators and prosecutors who’re devoted to serving justice with compassion and care. Whereas we can not undo the previous, we are able to restore the survivor’s dignity, belief, and hope.”
The unit will likely be led by veteran prosecutor Stephanie Brown. Brown comes with in depth expertise prosecuting violent offenses towards youngsters and the aged. She additionally has expertise working with victims of sexual assault and aggravated home violence.
There are 12 lead investigators and prosecutors on the workforce. These people include a particular talent set to deal with the sorts of victim-focused felony offenses this unit will oversee.
Historical past of SVU-related instances in Mississippi
During the last a number of years, the variety of SVU-related instances have elevated. In 2020, the Lawyer Basic’s workplace obtained 1,860 cyber-tips. Final yr, that quantity rose to 2,936. Crimes towards susceptible adults have additionally elevated from 2,131 in 2020 to an estimated 3,200 in 2022. This doesn’t embrace Medicaid Fraud Management complaints.
The state has additionally turned their focus towards coping with the specter of human trafficking. This consists of efforts by the Lawyer Basic whose workplace homes a fund which immediately offers monetary help to organizations who supply victims companies. The workplace additionally homes a job drive particularly designed to deal with human trafficking instances.
The Lawyer Basic has carried out over 40 multi-jurisdictional human trafficking operations. This resulted within the restoration of greater than 200 victims and the arrest of over 60 perpetrators.
The Lawyer Basic can be the first workplace that handles many high-profile instances involving elected officers or public staff. Fitch’s workplace made the arrest of a former Rankin County tax assessor for the rape of somebody over 16 in 2022. The yr earlier than, they had been concerned within the case towards Toshemie Wilson, a 20-year highschool instructor in Amory who was charged with little one exploitation.
For anybody who believes they’ve encountered a sufferer of one among these crimes, data on these violations may be submitted by the Lawyer Basic’s web site.
