On any given day you’ll find Jessica Castellanos walking into the Hall of Justice in Redwood City for a court hearing.
Today, she’s here advocating for the victim of an elder assault. In the courtroom, she learns her case hearing has been continued or postponed to another day — something that happens often for felony cases in the criminal justice system.
Castellanos doesn’t linger, though. She has another walk-in appointment with a victim. Meeting outside the courtroom, she speaks Spanish comfortably and escorts the client into the building.
As a champion for victims of crime and their families, Castellanos helps to provide physical, emotional and financial support when they need it most.
“To advocate for someone who may not have that support or is afraid to speak or may not know how to — that is what advocacy means to me,” she says.
Victim advocates also serve as liaisons between victims, district attorneys and law enforcement, helping their clients navigate the complex and long criminal justice system.
Advocates educate victims about their rights, provide case updates, fill out crime victim compensation forms and connect them to local resources in the county, such as public service agencies.
Housed in the District Attorney’s Office, the County has 18 victim advocates; each is assigned to a unit specializing in different types of cases, including domestic violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, homicide, vehicular manslaughter, stalking, robbery, assault and restitution. An advocate handles approximately 150 to 200 cases annually.
Castellanos is assigned to elder abuse, domestic violence and general felony cases. She studied social work and later worked in law enforcement in Alameda County jails for five years.
Seeing the impact crime has on victims and their families firsthand spurred her to transfer to the San Mateo County Victim Services Division to advocate for the most vulnerable, particularly in the Spanish-speaking community.
“I make a difference everyday, even if it’s small by talking to someone on the phone or getting messages from my victims saying that they are grateful that I listen to them and that I acknowledge their feelings,” she says. “I want to continue making a difference in the work that I do.”
#WorkWithPurpose
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2moGood for you and your department. 👏👏