Governor Janet Napolitano has long been an advocate for victims’ rights and for improving the rights and services for crime victims. The governor and her administration strongly support efforts to promote public awareness of victims’ rights and are committed to assisting crime victims.
Arizona has made enormous strides in the area of crime victims’ rights. Arizona became one of the first states to provide for unpaid leave for crime victims to attend court proceedings. In addition, the governor has signed into law other legislative victims rights measures including; requiring that all criminal superior court judges in Arizona to read the victims bill of rights in the courtroom, reducing the commutation eligibility for violent offenders, providing free police reports for crime victims, protecting the identities of stalking and domestic violence victims on public websites and increasing the ability to collect restitution from incarcerated inmates to ensure victims receive restitution.
In February 2003, Governor Napolitano appointed Dan Levey as her adviser for victims and became one the first governor’s in the country to appoint such an adviser. Mr. Levey focuses exclusively on crime victims’ issues, ensuring that victims are treated with dignity and respect. Mr. Levey became involved in victims rights after his brother, Howard, was murdered in Phoenix in 1996. Since then, Levey has become known as an outspoken and dedicated advocate for victims in Arizona and around the country.
The governor’s adviser for victims is available to speak to community groups, schools, non-profits, and businesses about crime victims’ rights and services. For more information or to arrange for an appointment for a speaker on victims issues please send an email to Dlevey@az.gov.
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