NCVLI "Victims’ Rights Pro Bono Attorney Training"

The National Crime Victim Law Center is offering a training session Oct. 6 for attorneys interested in doing pro bono legal work for NCVLI or its partner clinic, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center (OCVLC).  The session will equip attendees with core tools to effectively represent victims. - HTN Foundation

Victims’ Rights Pro Bono Attorney Training

Date: October 6, 2011, 7:30am - 9:00am

Location: National Crime Victim Law Institute

If you are an attorney interested in doing pro bono legal work for NCVLI or our partner clinic, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center (OCVLC), join us for a Victims’ Rights Pro Bono Attorney Training on October 6th.  This training will provide an overview of some of the common rights that crime victims need legal assistance with, and provide the attendee with key arguments, sample pleadings, and best practices to protect those rights.  This training will equip attendees with the core tools to effectively represent victims and conduct legal research and writing on critical victims’ rights issues.  Click here to register.  Space is limited so sign up now!

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LA Weekly, "Fabian Nunez Riles Crime Victims"

Former California Assembly speaker Fabian Nunez says political “aspirations” are behind a lawsuit challenging former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action to reduce  the prison sentence being served by Nunez’s son. San Diego DA Bonnie Dumanis, who is relying on Marsy’s Law in the case, says her sole goal is “justice for the victims.” Luis Santos was stabbed to death in 2008 in an altercation involving Estaban Nunez. - HTN Foundation

Fabian Nunez Riles Crime Victims

Bill inspired by Luis Santos' murder targets political favors for criminals like Esteban Nunez

By Chris Vogel

Thursday, Aug 4 2011

Fred Santos couldn't believe his eyes.

Standing in a cramped hallway outside a courtroom in Sacramento, he and his wife, Kathy, had just won the first round in their lawsuit against former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for not telling them that he was shortening the prison sentence of Esteban Nuñez, who was involved in murdering their son Luis three years ago near a fraternity party at San Diego State University.

And there in the hallway, the Santoses saw him — with his hand on his heart amid a rabid swarm of reporters: Esteban Nuñez's father, former Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez. To them and many others, he was talking shit.

"When you're dealing with a district attorney," Nuñez told reporters, "like we did in San Diego, who clearly, you know, has aspirations and has always had aspirations for higher office, the approach that they took to my son's case, and in particular to him, irrespective of the facts of the actual case — they picked on my son from day one."

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Whittier Daily News: "Mother of slain Alhambra teen supports and educates victims' families Read more: Mother of slain Alhambra teen supports and educates victims' families"

By Brenda Gazzar, Staff Writer

Justice for Murdered Children founder Lawanda Hawkins, left, hugs Jeanette Chavez, mother of murder victim Sammatha Salas, in this Jan. 12 photo. (Rachel Luna / Staff) Read more: Mother of slain Alhambra teen supports and educates victims' families - Whittier Daily News http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_18407942#ixzz1RGHMGV4q

OUTH PASADENA - Jeanette Chavez knows what it's like to be a victim of a heinous crime and then to hear insulting comments from relatives of her daughter's killers in the courtroom.

The 42-year old mother also knows how critical it is to keep the case of a slain loved one alive in the public domain until the perpetrators are charged, convicted and locked away.

More than three years after bubbly 16-year-old Sammantha Salas of Alhambra was gunned down by gang members while walking to a market in unincorporated Monrovia, Chavez is helping victims and their families navigate the painful and often difficult path to justice.

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Sign on San Diego: "Clemency reform tied to SDSU killing passes Senate panel"

By Michael Gardner

Sacramento — A measure to provide victims and prosecutors with a 10-day warning when a governor is weighing clemency appeals continued its unanimous advance through the Legislature.

The Senate Public Safety Committee Tuesday approved the legislation, which was introduced in response to former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s surprise decision to cut by more than half the sentence handed down to the son of a political ally involved in a fatal brawl at San Diego State two years ago.

“It gives victims the ability to have their voices heard,” said Dawn Koepke, representing Crime Victims United, an advocacy group.

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Pasadena Star: "Crime victims' rights to be discussed at police clinic"

PASADENA - The Pasadena Police Department will host a free Crime Victims' Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday in the second floor assembly room at the department headquarters, 207 N. Garfield Ave.

The clinic will offer information on the Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act (Marsy's Law) passed in 2008, giving victims of crimes and their families 17 constitutional rights.

Workshop participants will include the Pasadena Police Department, Justice for Homicide Victims, Pasadena Superior Court, L.A. District Attorney's Office, Bailiff's Office, Victim-Witness Assistance Program; Peace Over Violence and Crime Stoppers.

>>FULL STORY<<