what is an svc lawyer

Full Answer

What is an SVC or VLC lawyer?

Whether an SVC or VLC, these lawyers have experience trying cases in both military and civilian trials. They understand the legal process and are able to guide victims as a perpetrator is brought to trial.

What is the role of an SVC?

SVCs primary duty is to zealously represent the best interests of clients, even if these interests do not align with the interests of the government.

Why SCV Law Firm PLLC?

At SCV Law Firm, PLLC we take pride in working closely with our clients so they can make informed and wise decisions as they pursue proper compensation for their injuries. Our team will look over your case and get back to you ASAP!

What is Special Victims Counsel (SVCs)?

SVC JAG and SHARP Resources Special Victims’ Counsel provide legal representation to qualifying victims of sexual assault. SVCs primary duty is to zealously represent the best interests of clients, even if these interests do not align with the interests of the government.

What is a Special Victims counsel Air Force?

An SVC is a military attorney who specializes in representing victims, including those who need help and don't feel safe, of sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, and similar crimes, whether the victim is using restricted reporting or unrestricted reporting.

When was the special victim counsel program established?

2013SECDEF specifically wanted all services to establish a program, "... best suited for that service that provides legal advice and representation to the victim throughout the justice process." The Army SVC program was then established in October 2013.

What is a victim advocate in the Army?

The Victim Advocate (VA) provides essential support and care to the victim to include providing non-clinical information on available options and resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions as they progress through resolution and healing.

What is a VLC Navy?

The Navy Victims' Legal Counsel Program provides survivors of a sexual offense with a dedicated attorney to help victims understand the investigation and military justice process, guard their legal rights and interests and obtain additional support in accessing resources that may assist in their recovery.

What is a DD Form 2910?

DD Form 2910, "VICTIM REPORTING PREFERENCE STATEMENT"

How do you become a victim advocate in the Army?

SARC/VA Career Course: To become a certified SARC or VA Specialist, candidates must complete the SHARP Career Course, which has been approved by the National Advocate Credentialing Program® (NACP), a program of the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA).

What does a victim advocate do?

​Victim advocates have a tremendously varied job description. They help eligible victims apply for assistance, work with creditors when appropriate, keep victims informed of the status of their cases, and keep the victims updated on whether the person accused of a crime in their case is arrested or released.

Who can be a victim advocate army?

Advocacy services are available to Service members, their current or former spouses, an individual with whom the Service member shares a child, and significant others of Service members who live together. Our services are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

What is SVC in military?

Q: What is the SVC Program? A: The SVC Program provides a no-cost military attorney to victims of sexual assault who qualify for SVC services. Q: What does an SVC do? A: A SVC is a licensed military attorney who can advise you on a range of legal and other matters you may have questions about as a victim of sexual assault.

Can a foreign military member be a SVC?

Foreign military personnel (if the offender was a Soldier) If you are a Reserve or National Guard Soldier, you may qualify for services under your component's own SVC Program. If you are an Army Family Member sexually assaulted by a member of another branch of the Armed Forces, you may qualify for SVC services through that other branch (e.g., Navy, ...

Can a family member of a soldier be a SVC?

Family Member of a Soldier (if you have a military ID and the offender was in the military). Children family members may also be represented by a SVC. If you are a Reserve or National Guard Soldier, you may qualify for services under your component's own SVC Program.

Can you be a soldier if you are a victim of sexual assault?

A: In general, if you are a victim of sexual assault and fit into one of the following categories, you may qualify for SVC services: Soldier (no matter whether the offender was in the military or not) Family Member of a Soldier (if you have a military ID and the offender was in the military).

Is a SVC an attorney?

A: Yes. A SVC is an attorney and is bound by the strictest rules of confidentiality. Whatever you tell your SVC in confidence will be kept in confidence by the SVC, unless and until YOU decide that someone else should know.

Can I report sexual assault to SVC?

A: No! If you qualify for an SVC, you don't have to make an unrestricted (open) report of sexual assault. Your SVC can explain to you the difference between restricted and unrestricted reporting. In fact, you can get the advice of a SVC attorney and then choose not to report at all. It is completely up to you.

What is the difference between a VLC and a SVC?

The Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard refer to these professionals as Special Victims' Counsel (SVC), while the Navy and Marine Corps have labeled them Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC). Whether an SVC or VLC, these lawyers have experience trying cases in both military and civilian trials. They understand the legal process and are able ...

Does the Department of Justice have a sexual assault support function?

The Department, working with the Services, has created a legal support function for victims of sexual assault that provides legal advice and guidance, and maintains a victim's confidential ity. A victim can access this support whether they file a Restricted or Unrestricted Report, even if they have not yet made an official report.

What is the SVC program?

I n November 2013, the Army began its Special Victim Counsel (SVC) Program with this promise to those in the Army and their family members: if they report being sexually assaulted and request an SVC, they will have a qualified, professional counsel who will help them preserve their rights and who will advocate on their behalf. This commitment was part of a new paradigm in victim advocacy that has no precedent or comparable institutional initiative anywhere in the civilian sector. The program recognized that if our system fails to treat victims with dignity, fairness, and respect, or denies them a meaningful choice about how they will participate in the military justice system, it risks re-victimizing them. Someone who feels re-victimized will struggle with resiliency and be far less likely to participate in a prosecution or disciplinary action than a victim who has an advocate to help ensure the system supports them. While important for victims, this legal representation does nothing to lessen the Army’s long-standing commitment to protect the rights of the accused, which includes providing defense counsel for all military defendants.

What does SVC do in the army?

In addition, within the Army, SVCs would also serve as their client’s counsel for all legal assistance issues, ensuring the victim would only have to form one attorney-client relationship with a counsel to represent all their legal interests.

How successful is the SVC program?

Despite initial doubts and challenges, some of which we continue to address, the Army SVC Program has proven to be tremendously successful. Current and former victim-clients consistently cite their SVC representation as contributing greatly to both their short-term and long-term resiliency. Special Victim Counsel have given victims the ability to engage in the military justice process with confidence that their dignity, privacy, and interests are important and will be respected. The confidence that SVCs provide to victims will likely, over time, help increase the percentage of victims who choose to immediately report offenses and engage in disciplinary actions against offenders.

What was the first Army SVC?

As the first Army SVCs began representing sexual assault victims as clients, they faced a number of initial challenges. First, while published Army policy and statutory authorities for SVCs defined their role in broad terms, there was no ready resource for SVCs that defined the scope of their services or that addressed specific technical questions. In response, the SVC Program Office was tasked, in conjunction with the OTJAG Legal Assistance Policy Division, to provide technical guidance and support to SVCs in the field.

What is the SVC Handbook?

As an important part of its technical oversight, the PMO created the first SVC Handbook, providing practical information and policy guidance. Among other issues, the handbook addressed victim eligibility, program training and certification requirements, and responsibilities and roles of an SVC.

What is the purpose of a military victim counsel?

As military victim rights law has evolved, Army Special Victim Counsel have been engaged to ensure the law is properly recognized and applied. SVCs do this through motions practice before trial courts and, if necessary, through writs to appellate courts.

When did the Army SVC program start?

A working group made up of leaders from the Army Legal Assistance Policy and Criminal Law Divisions, as well as the Army JAG Corps’ Personnel, Plans, Training and Operations (PPTO) Division, began meeting in July 2013 to plan the Army SVC Program.