South Lake Tahoe victim's advocate works so trauma doesn't happen a second time

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Imagine being the victim of a crime and suddenly being thrust into the judicial system without knowledge of the steps, and rights that come with being a victim. There is no blueprint, no class at school, and many people only go through the process of being a victim just once so previous experience is not always the guide.

In South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County, a team of advocates is that lifeline in navigating the process and the legal system, so they aren't traumatized a second time with the overwhelming road ahead. They make sure the victim's voice is heard while also reducing the trauma, making the experience as empowering and successful as possible.

Shannon Simmons is the lone victim's advocate for the Lake Tahoe portion of El Dorado County and is currently involved in about 300 cases for victims of crimes. She sees victims of child abuse, spousal abuse, elder abuse, and any other cases where there are victims.

Shannon's job is to help them know their Marsy Law rights and help them through the whole process. Not all of her 300 cases need an advocate at all times as the legal process can take a while, but she is there whenever needed.

Marsy's Law outlines the victim's right to be notified about and present at proceedings; to be heard at proceedings involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, or parole of the accused; to have the safety of the victim and victim's family considered when making bail or release decisions; to be protected from the accused; to be notified about release or escape of the accused; to refuse an interview or deposition at the request of the accused; to receive restitution from the individual who committed the criminal offense.

This law was created in jurisdictions around the country after Marsalee ("Marsy") Nicholas, a student at the University of California Santa Barbara, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. A week later, Henry and his mother encountered Marsy's ex-boyfriend at a grocery store after he was released on bail - her brother Henry Nicholas III and their mother were unaware of his release.

To prevent anyone else from going through the same shocking experience, the California Victim/Witness Assistance Program is in place for El Dorado County.

Not everyone wants to use these services, but Shannon is there to help those that do.

"Domestic violence victims want the most assistance," said Shannon who can speak on their behalf in court including reading the statement they have prepared.

The process starts with a phone call when the defendant is still in custody. Charges can only be filed within a certain window so it is important the victim knows their rights and the process. In the case of abuse, protection orders can be filed while they are still in custody.

The victim can be involved in as much of the court process they wish to be, and Shannon is there to help.

"I try to reduce the trauma as much as possible," said Shannon. She helps by being the liaison between her client and the investigators and attorneys that may be involved.

She also relies on the expertise she can get from Live Violence Free and she often connects their services to her clients. She is not a crisis counselor so she and the nonprofit work together for the person seeking services. Shannon currently has about 80 active violence victim cases.

In the case of children, the Child Advocacy Center becomes involved with multi-disciplinary teams who are child trauma trained. Those services are both in South Lake Tahoe and Placerville.

Shannon is also able to help victims with things outside of court, like relation, home security, mental health services, compensation of lost wages - victim's compensation covers a large scale of things and she can also help them as they go through the California Victim Compensation Board.

The Victim's Witness team is part of the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office. Even though Shannon is the only one in South Lake Tahoe, she receives help from Placerville when needed.

There are some cases where there is more than one advocate assigned like with the current murder case in El Dorado County Superior Court. Shannon is the advocate for the victim's mother and father, and another person is the advocate for the second victim in the case.

Shannon is the married mother of two young children. She has been in her role as a victim's advocate for 2.5 years. Previously she worked with the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, and at a domestic violence shelter in the valley. When her kids ask her what she does, she tells them, "I help people who have been hurt by others."

A video by Shannon and others in the Victim's Witness team can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/ElDoradoDA/videos/926318268186682.