Victim Services

Ryan Jurvakainen is dedicated to protecting the rights and dignity of victims of crime. This office has a dedicated staff that works to ensure that victims and witnesses of crimes committed in Cowlitz County receive the attention they deserve. Our staff is here to answer questions, attend court hearings and interviews with victims, assist in finding or applying for different resources and much more.

Victims Rights in Washington

According to the Revised Code of Washington, all victims of crime have certain rights in which they are entitled, this is called the Crime Victims Bill of Rights. You can view these rights here. Child Victims have some additional rights. You can click here to view the Child Victims Bill of Rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many questions related to being a victim of crime. If you are a victim of a crime and have questions, please click the link/title above, it will take you to the FAQ page for our office. If your questions are not answered here, please contact our office and we may be able to assist you.

Restitution

Restitution may be available to some victims of crime that have had damage to themselves or their property. In order to request restitution, a victim must submit the restitution estimate form and submit it with their bills, receipts or estimates for any damages. (Form can be completed online below).

Please be advised that restitution can only be ordered for those losses directly attributed to the crime for which this defendant is convicted. Restitution is not guaranteed, nor can we guarantee the amount you will receive and/or the time in which you will receive it. Please be advised that it is unlikely that you will receive a lump-sum payment for your restitution. Thank you.

Restitution Estimate Form

Complete the restitution estimate form and it will be emailed to the proper party to complete your restitution request.

Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center

The Children’s Justice & Advocacy Center(CJAC) in Kelso, WA first opened in 2009 after years of planning by several community members dedicating to protecting the children in our community. CJAC is a central location for members of a multidisciplinary team (which includes law enforcement, prosecution, CPS, Advocacy, etc) working on child abuse investigations to gather. Before CJAC, when allegations of abuse came to light, the child had to speak to several different people, in different settings, re-living their trauma over and over. With CJAC, the child is interviewed by a trained Child Forensic Interviewer, and only has to share their story once, in a safe, child friendly environment, saving the child from further trauma.

CJAC became a federally recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2012, and as of October 2013 been awarded National Accreditation from the National Children’s Alliance (NCA).

If any groups would like a presentation on CJAC and the ways in which it helps the children within our community, please contact Sue Baur(President) or the Child Forensic Interviewer.

Interested in volunteering in our victim services division?  Please email us at Prosecutor@co.cowlitz.wa.us