Victim Services

As the HPD Victim/Witness Advocate, I work with the Prosecutor in providing critical information and support to victims and witnesses involved in the criminal and juvenile justice process. 

As the Victim Advocate I CAN:

  • Explain the judicial system to you
  • Provide you with community resources specific to your needs including shelter, finances, transportation, etc.
  • Act as a link between you and the prosecutor
  • Advise you on the status of the case and confirm court dates and location
  • Answer your questions regarding pre-trial, trial, sentencing, and appeal process
  • Attend Court with you and stay while you testify in a criminal matter
  • Help you with submitting a Victim Impact Statement

As the Victim Advocate I CANNOT:

  • Give you legal advice
  • Take a report or investigate a crime
  • Tell you how to testify
  • Tell you what to write in a Victim Impact Statement
  • Give you an opinion as to whether a case will be charged
  • Give you an opinion as to the likely outcome of a case
  • Give you an opinion as whether restitution will be ordered, and how much
  • Personally transport you anywhere
  • Explain the judicial system to you
  • Provide you with community resources specific to your needs including shelter, finances, transportation, etc.
  • Act as a link between you and the prosecutor
  • Advise you on the status of the case and confirm court dates and location
  • Answer your questions regarding pre-trial, trial, sentencing, and appeal process
  • Attend Court with you and stay while you testify in a criminal matter
  • Help you with submitting a Victim Impact Statement

If you are the victim of a crime, I will reach out to you once an arrest is made. I can only keep you informed if we have up-to-date contact information. It is important that you can be reached by telephone and/or email to schedule meetings, discuss the plea offer, and be kept up to date of the hearing dates. Please contact me as soon as possible if any of your contact information changes.   

Ariel Kapteyn, Prosecution Assistant/Victim Witness Advocate
akapteyn@hooksettpolice.org
603-624-1560 x 306