Victim Families Attend Victim Visitors’ Day in Cordele
Pictured: The Bowman Family and MADD Staff member Shermaine Johnson at Victim Visitors’ Day in Cordele, GA on October 17, 2017. Photo courtesy of MADD Staff.
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, Victim Services Specialist Shermaine Johnson represented Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at Victims Visitors’ Day in Cordele, GA. Shermaine provided emotional support and assistance in understanding the criminal justice system for victims of drunk driving crashes and family members who attended. The Georgia Office of Victim Services coordinated the event with the Cordele Judicial Circle Victim-Witness Program and the Office of District Attorney Brad Rigby.
Victims Visitors’ Day is a day where victims have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Community Supervision staff. Crime victims have the opportunity to sit down one-on-one with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to discuss their confidential cases and ask questions regarding their offender. Victims also have the opportunity to share information about their case that they want the board to consider when determining possible parole for the offender. According to the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, more than 160 victims and family members attended Victim Visitors’ Day in Cordele, GA. Victim Visitors’ Day is held twice a year, once in October and once in April.
Emily Bowman, who was hit by a drunk driver in 2013, attended Victims Visitors’ Day in Cordele with her mother Debbie, and her father Dale. Emily and her parents provided materials to the Parole Board, including a verbal statement and photos, that will be evaluated and considered when the offender in Emily’s case is up for parole review.
MADD Victim Services Specialist Shermaine Johnson also spoke with victims, victim families, community leaders, and other community members in attendance about MADD’s work to end drunk driving through outreach and prevention efforts across Georgia.
To be notified about the status of the incarcerated offender in your DUI case or learn more about your rights, please visit the Georgia Office of Victim Services website.
