Skip Navigation
USAO Home Page

History And Overview of The Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee And Victim/Witness Program

LECC PROGRAM: In the summer of 1981, the Attorney General's Task Force on Violent Crime recommended that each United States Attorney establish a Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC). The bi-partisan Task Force included eight distinguished national criminal justice experts who closely examined federal, state, and local law enforcement needs. The recommendation to establish LECCs came as a direct result of the group's finding that local law enforcement cooperation was crucial, but that cooperation nationwide was uneven.

The Attorney General responded to the Task Force recommendations, and on July 21, 1981, issued an order instructing every United States Attorney to establish an LECC. Each committee has a U.S. Attorney's Office staff member as its coordinator. Today, all 93 United States Attorneys' Offices have an LECC consisting of federal, state, and local agencies involved in district law enforcement. The goal of these committees is to improve cooperation and coordination among law enforcement groups, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The LECC program has become a cornerstone of joint federal, state and local law enforcement efforts.

The Law Enforcement Coordinator for the District of South Carolina can be reached at (803) 929-3000.

VICTIM-WITNESS PROGRAM: As set forth in the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982, the Crime Control Act of 1990, the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, and the pursuant Attorney General Guidelines, the federal government must ensure that innocent victims of crime have their rights upheld, have their dignity and privacy respected, and are treated with fairness. During a prosecution, the U.S. Attorney's Office in the district where the prosecution is pending is responsible for performing the services due victims.

Federal crime victims have the following rights:

  1. To be treated with fairness and with respect for their dignity and privacy.
  2. To be reasonably protected from the accused offender.
  3. To be notified of court proceedings.
  4. To be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that testimony by the victim would be materially affected if you as the victim heard other testimony at trial.
  5. To confer with the attorney for the Government in the case.
  6. To restitution.
  7. To information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender.

There are two Victim-Witness Coordinators in the District of South Carolina. The one for Columbia and Greenville can be reached at (800) 837-2655. The coordinator for Charleston and Florence can be reached at (800) 504-2630.