Marcia L. Rinker

Marcia Rinker has worked on behalf of crime victims for 28 years. As a victim witness advocate for the past 12 years in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., Ms. Rinker has worked tirelessly to ensure that victims are aware of their rights and that they receive the services they need. 

On a daily basis, Ms. Rinker provides comfort and assistance to victims of horrific crimes, and exhibits care, concern, and devotion to every victim and survivor she meets. Ms. Rinker’s contributions are consistently viewed as extraordinary by prosecutors, law enforcement officers, fellow advocates, and members of the community. 

As the only homicide advocate, with a caseload of 160, Ms. Rinker provides support to more than 30 homicide prosecutors. She has taught the prosecutors in the District office how to work with victims, and they in turn consult with her on victim issues in their cases and rely on her advice. Ms. Rinker scrupulously safeguards the rights of crime victims, working with prosecutors and law enforcement officers to ensure that victims are afforded their rights. She regularly meets with families, accompanies victims to court, and assists victims with impact statements. 

Ms. Rinker recently served on the District’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board and the D.C. Homicide Coalition to develop ways to strengthen the resources available for crime victims in the District of Columbia. Last September, Ms. Rinker and other Coalition members organized a candlelight ceremony for families of homicide victims, providing a venue for families to remember and honor their loved ones lost to homicide. 

Marcia Rinker was nominated by Kim A. Herd, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief, Victim Witness Unit, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.