In this workshop, staff from Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center will share tips and strategies to build and maintain community trust with the victims most often disregarded by the criminal justice system. Specifically, OCVJC will discuss how to create and implement a targeted outreach plan, how to understand and accommodate the needs of communities of color when members of those communities attempt to access services and justice. In addition, OCVJC staff will help brainstorm legal strategies to combat abuses of victims’ rights protections and share case studies, focusing on the rights to privacy and redaction when asserted by law enforcement to prevent transparency.

presented by

Elizabeth Well, Cierra Davis

The presentation discusses actions by Law Enforcement and Prosecutorial teams that have the unintended effect of limiting or denying victims of their rights. Some hurdles are generated by defense counsel actions, but the majority of transgressions against victim's rights come from the inaction by and misunderstandings of Law enforcement and Prosecutors about the rights to which victims are entitled. This presentation is designed to highlight those areas where the victim's rights are overlooked... or considered inconsequential. Recommended strategies will be discussed.

presented by

Alonzo Robertson, Kathleen Callan

In this presentation, Assistant Disciplinary Counsel for the Oregon State Bar, Alison Wilkinson, will discuss ethical obligations that are likely to arise when working with victims of crime. Through case examples and hypotheticals, you will leave this presentation with a better understanding of how to satisfy your professional responsibilities while best advocating for victims.

presented by

Alison Wilkinson, Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, Oregon State Bar

Civilian advocates and attorneys can provide valuable victims’ rights support and advocacy for victims in military justice proceedings – yet few non-military members are sufficiently familiar with the military justice system and how civilian-provided advocacy can support victims’ rights in military justice. Join members of the NCVLI legal team in a facilitated discussion with a seasoned military advocate and an experienced military attorney for victims that is designed to familiarize civilian victim service providers with military processes, rights and options for survivors. Participants will gain a better understanding of how civilian advocates and attorneys can work with military-connected victims in ways that help protect and promote their rights.

presented by

Lieutenant Colonel Leah Eccles Watson, Policy Officer, National Guard Special Victims' Counsel Program & Sergeant First Class Freyja E. Eccles, Intern & Victim Advocate, National Crime Victim Law Institute

State rules of professional conduct limit when attorneys and certain non-attorneys with whom they work can communicate directly with crime victims who are represented by counsel. This training explores these limitations in the context of victims’ rights law and practice. NCVLI will provide a brief overview of the scope and application of no-contact rules to communications with represented victims. Two experienced victims’ rights attorneys – Jamie Balson from Legal Services for Crime Victims in Arizona and Mariam El-menshawi from California Victims Legal Resource Center – will then share their experiences with, and practice tips for, navigating no-contact rules while also facilitating victims' access to their rights.

presented by

Susie Cowen, National Crime Victim Law Institute & Jamie Balson, Crime Victims' Rights Attorney, Legal Services for Crime Victims in Arizona