Donna Duplantier

Since 1990, Donna Duplantier has worked tirelessly to ensure that victims of federal crime know their rights and are treated with dignity and respect. As a Victim-Witness Coordinator for the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Louisiana, she supports more than 50 Assistant United States Attorneys on federal cases involving murder, robbery, sexual assault, public corruption, immigration, and child pornography. She has provided guidance and training for these attorneys and their support staff on the Crime Victims' Rights Act and the Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance. 

Duplantier's talent and dedication were especially evident in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when she was instrumental in reestablishing victim assistance in New Orleans and surrounding areas. When her office was temporarily relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and even when she was temporarily living out of state, Duplantier flew to New Orleans to assist federal victims and witnesses who had been threatened. 

Upon her official return to New Orleans in January 2006, she continued to meet her obligations to federal crime victims in spite of Katrina-related obstacles. For example, it was often difficult to locate victims to notify them of their rights. On several occasions, she hand-delivered notification letters and met with victims at their homes. She also called the city's victim service agencies to assess which ones were operating, and met with other victim service providers monthly to develop strategic plans to maximize resources. Also, she served many victims of local crime who were not receiving services from District Attorneys' offices because of the many challenges these offices experienced after Hurricane Katrina. 

Donna Duplantier was nominated by Kim A. Herd, Assistant Director, LECC/Victim-Witness Staff, Executive Office for United States Attorneys, Washington, D.C.