Cape Girardeau County Crime Victim & Witness Program

Cape Girardeau County Crime Victim Advocate Beth Garoutte is shown with Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle

Jennifer Biri, Assistant Crime Victim Advocate

Bettie Knoll,  Founder of Crime Victim Advocate Program

Laura Finger, Restitution Clerk

Bettie Knoll founded the Cape Girardeau County Crime Victim & Witness Program almost two decades ago. She retired in 2001 and was replaced by Victim Advocate Beth Garoutte. Restitution Clerk Laura Finger also works daily with crime victims.

Beth is an advocate for crime victims and witnesses, trying to make sure they receive the following:

1. Victim Impact Statements;

2. Notification of dates for Court appearances;

3. Notification of postponements of the case;

4. Sentencing notification;

5. Notification of final disposition of the case;

6. Referral to appropriate social services agencies, if needed;

7. Transportation arrangements if otherwise unavailable;

8. Assistance completing applications for crime victim compensation;

9. Help obtaining reasonable protection from the defendant;

10. Return of recovered personal property as quickly as possible;

11. Help obtaining restitution when possible;

12. Help with intercession with an employer or creditor;

13. Answers to questions about the case.

Laura works at establishing the appropriate amount of restitution to seek in each criminal case, and monitors, collects and disperses payments made by criminals placed on probation.

If you are a crime victim or witness and have further questions about your case, please feel free to call our office and ask for a Crime Victim Advocate or the prosecutor handling the case. Our telephone number is (573) 243-2430.