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| Don Holmes |
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The Lamar County Victim Advocate is Don Holmes. The Victim Advocate has an office located within the Lamar County Sheriff's Office building and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, the Victim Advocate is on call 24/7 and can be contacted anytime at 770-358-5159. The Victim Advocates Office was established in 2001 by Sheriff Larry Waller, to serve victims of crime within Lamar County. Some of the crimes that this office provides service for include, but are not limited to, stalking, harassment, child abuse, elder abuse, theft, assault, burglary, identity theft, rape and domestic violence.
The Victim Advocate is certified by the Superior Court of Georgia to prepare temporary protective orders (TPO's) and stalking orders. When a TPO is prepared for a victim of domestic violence or stalking, the Victim Advocate accompanies and assists the victim through the legal and court process. The Victim Advocate provides transportation for crime victims, on a limited as needed basis, for court appearances, medical and counseling services. In cases where a domestic violence victim is seeking to leave the situation he/she is in, the Victim Advocate will find and transport the victim and his/her children to a "safe house". The locations of the available shelters are kept confidential and guaranteed safe.
The Lamar County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocate is funded through a Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant which is administered by the Georgia Governors Office, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Lamar County has benefited from a VOCA grant since 2001, and is secured through 2013. The Lamar County Sheriff's Office is also the recipient of funds from a 5% fee added on to fines imposed by the various courts within Lamar County. The courts from which we receive this money include the Lamar County Superior Court, the Lamar County Magistrate Court, the Lamar County Probate Court, the Barnesville Municipal Court and the Milner City Court. These funds are used solely for the direct benefit of crime victims.
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