Volunteers contribute about 13,000 hours annually to the following programs:

VICTIM/WITNESS DIVISION

Victim advocates work one-on-one with crime victims, providing support and information and guiding them through the entire court process. Volunteers also interact with the DA's and assist them in determining satisfactory resolutions to complex criminal cases.

RESTITUTION PROGRAM

Volunteers provide victims with information on restitution payments from offenders, handle telephone inquiries, research and track information on individual cases and work closely with the DA's, Probation department and the courts.

CONSUMER AFFAIRS UNIT

Volunteers handle consumer fraud complaints which originate by drop-in, phone or mail. Consumer Affairs mediates complaints which cover a wide variety of problems encountered by Boulder County consumers.

Volunteers and staff attempt to negotiate for a fair settlement between consumers and businesses to keep the issue out of court. Problem areas are auto sales and repair, home contractors, illegal charities and landlord-tenant disputes.

COUNTY COURT DIVISION

Volunteers work with county court DA's as arraignment assistants and investigators. During the arraignment process they help to explain legal advisements and agreements between the DA's office and those charged with criminal offenses. As investigators, they help with background investigation of misdemeanor crime and traffic incidents. This includes reading reports, contacting witnesses, victims and police officers, checking court files for client blood alcohol levels and documenting information for the deputy DA's.

DISTRICT COURT DIVISION

In District Court, volunteer law school students and volunteer attorneys assist deputies in the preparation of adult felony cases. Responsibilities include contacting witnesses, reviewing evidence, interviewing prosecution and defense witnesses and preparing trial notebooks.

DOMESTIC ABUSE PROSECUTION UNIT

Volunteers provide support to the prosecuting DA in domestic violence cases by assisting in interviewing victims of domestic violence, serving subpoenas when necessary and doing follow-up work with law enforcement agencies to collect information.

INVESTIGATIONS

Volunteers assist in conducting investigations of complaints, circumstances and events which may constitute violations of the Colorado criminal laws. They gather and identify evidence for case preparation, examine records and interview witnesses and suspects. Volunteers also may write affidavits for arrest warrants, serve subpoenas and work closely with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

JUVENILE PROSECUTION UNIT

Volunteers work directly with the Juvenile Division deputy DA's to investigate misdemeanor and felony crimes committed by juveniles. Responsibilities include reading cases, contacting witnesses and law enforcement officers, serving subpoenas and taking photographs when necessary.

JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM

The Juvenile Diversion program diverts youth from further court action. Juveniles are given the option of undergoing a psychological assessment and fulfilling a six-month contract that is designed to keep them in school and out of trouble. Volunteers work with the "low risk" youth to monitor the conditions of the contract, contact schools for attendance reports and record information on the in-house computer system.

For more information on volunteering with the Boulder County District Attorney's office, please contact the Boulder County Justice System Volunteer Program at (303) 441-3718.