Victims and Witnesses

Being victimized or witnessing a crime can be a traumatic event. Our staff specialists are here to help you as the case goes through the justice system.

Witness/Victim Liaison Unit

Our Witness/Victim Liaison staff help victims and witnesses who are called to testify in criminal court cases. Our Witness/Victim Liaison staff can also provide information about subpoenas.

You can contact the unit by calling (954) 831-6205 or (954) 831-6202.

If you are a victim or witness in a criminal case filed in Broward County you may receive a subpoena to appear in court. Your subpoena will provide you with information about the case, the time and location of the hearing, and assistance in receiving a witness fee. Save your subpoena and bring it with you if you must appear in court.

The Victim/Witness Liaison Office can also help:

Provide complimentary parking in the witness/juror parking garage on the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and SE 6th Street for witnesses who have been asked to appear at the main downtown Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Follow the signs for the witness/juror parking garage.
Place the victim/witness on telephone standby to avoid unnecessary courtroom appearances if the judge agrees.
Assist victim and witnesses in solving problems caused by the necessity of appearing in court.
Expedite the return of stolen property to victims of crime, if approved by the judge.
Notify the victim or witness of the outcome of the case.
Provide qualified victim/witness coordinators to answer questions and explain courtroom procedures.

If you have a disability requiring special accommodation to participate in court proceedings, please call the phone number on your subpoena or 1-800-955-8770 (through the Florida Relay Service), or 1-800-955-8771 for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services, not later than five business days prior to the proceeding.

Victim Advocate Unit

Under Florida’s Constitution, victims have the right to be informed, to be present and to be heard at all stages of the criminal proceedings.

To help protect these rights, the State Attorney created a Victim Advocate Unit. Click here to download a copy of the Victims’ Rights Brochure which explains the court process and offers some resource information. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the Victim Advocate Unit at (954) 765-4133.

Our victim advocates can:

Provide personal escort services for the victim or witness upon their arrival at the courthouse, if needed.
Provide information about various social service agencies which may be available to the victim.

Notice of public proceedings and court records can be found at https://www.browardclerk.org/Web2.

For free text and email reminders about upcoming court hearings register at: https://enotify.flcourts.org/.