Criminal Division - Victim/Witness Assistance Unit

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tel. (509) 574-1210

The Victim / Witness Unit:

Provides assistance to victims and witnesses in felony criminal cases
Provides basic crisis intervention to victims and witnesses
Provides referral information to victims and witnesses about resources and/or other agencies available to them
Provides information to victims/witnesses about hearing dates, trial dates, sentencing hearings and resolution of cases
Coordinates time for victims and witnesses to testify in pretrial and trial hearings
Assists with transportation/travel of witnesses to and from Court
Provides basic assistance to prosecutors in case preparation
Determines restitution in criminal cases
Assists law enforcement and child protective services in investigations of crimes against children
Provides training to law enforcement and child protective services in the area of crimes against children
Provides assistance to child victims/child witnesses throughout criminal investigations and criminal trials

Victim/Witness Assistance Division

Aaron Buchanan, Victim Witness Senior Manager
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: aaron.buchanan@co.yakima.wa.us

Annette Figueroa, Paralegal
1728 Jerome Ave. Yakima County Juvenile Justice Center
Email: annette.figueroa@co.yakima.wa.us

Betty Lou Philippsen, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: bettylou.philippsen@co.yakima.wa.us

Blanca Rodriguez-Mendoza, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: blanca.rodriguez@co.yakima.wa.us

Chelsea Gamache, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: chelsea.gamache@co.yakima.wa.us

Darla Jensen, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: darla.jensen@co.yakima.wa.us

Elizabeth Sanchez, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: elizabeth.sanchez@co.yakima.wa.us

Jacqueline Quintana-Legorreta, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: jackie.quintana-legorreta@co.yakima.wa.us

Kari Reser, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: kari.reser@co.yakima.wa.us

Kayla Williams , Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: kayla.wailliams@co.yakima.wa.us

Melissa Lamb, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: melissa.lamb@co.yakima.wa.us

Thalia Diaz, Paralegal
Room 233 Yakima County Courthouse
Email: thalia.diaz@co.yakima.wa.us