Sep 16, 2016 3 min read

Prosecutions of criminals in Pennsylvania always bear the caption, for legal purposes, of the “Commonwealth versus,” followed by the name of the alleged perpetrator.

One element of a case not to be forgotten is the victim of crime, and the state, or commonwealth, designates funds and programs especially for victims.

Now working on behalf of crime victims in Washington County, in conjunction with the district attorney’s office, is Judy Nemeth, who’s actually wearing several hats.

Betsy Dane, the previous administrator of the crime victim/witness assistance program, retired over the summer after 21 years with the county, and she wanted no fanfare, said District Attorney Gene Vittone said.

Nemeth, 52, a Claysville resident, began working for the district attorney’s office as a victim advocate in 2016, and she succeeded Dane in July. In addition to her duties as director of victim services, she will serve as public information officer and coordinator of outreach to organizations sponsoring programs for what Vittone called “vulnerable groups” such as the elderly.

“We just can’t afford having a full-time person doing this for us,” Vittone said.

Nemeth, who has a marketing background, is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University who ran her own title insurance business before being hired by Vittone.

“On the victim advocate’s side, compassion is the most important element,” Nemeth said. “We actually reach out to every single victim of crime who’s identified in a police report.” Each is to be given an opportunity to file for restitution, to be notified of judicial proceedings related to the case and to be given a victim-impact statement at a sentencing.

Depending on a victim’s needs, Nemeth arranged for rides to hearings for people who lack transportation or clothing for those who lack proper attire.

“Anything we can do to assist them is our ultimate goal,” she said.

Grants for victim programs are derived from fees and fines paid by perpetrators of crimes and cover 96 percent of the victim advocates’ salaries in fourth-class counties including Washington, although Nemeth said taxpayer dollars cover health insurance for two employees. Nemeth’s new salary is $52,000.

The state allocates two grants under the Victims of Juvenile Offenders and Rights and Services acts, while federal dollars come from the Victims of Crime Act.

At a meeting of the Washington County Salary Board Thursday, the county commissioners, Controller Michael Namie and Vittone voted unanimously to create a part-time victim advocate’s position at $19,000 a year, as long as grant money is available to support it. A staffer has not yet been hired.