|
|
March 14, 2003/Adar2 10 5763, Vol. 55, No. 29
Crime victims advocate takes job personally
BARRY COHEN
Editor
The newly appointed governor's advisor for victims of crime takes his job personally.
Dan Levey's brother Howard was murdered on Nov. 3, 1996, while sitting in his car, waiting for his friends for a pick-up game of baskerball.
"That is the passion without question that fuels me to continue to fight for victims' rights," said Levey, who started in his position in Gov. Janet Napolitano's administration Feb. 10.
Levey said he was close to his brother. "We got together weekly and discussed social justice and criminal justice, and I know he would be saying (for me to) continue to fight for those people who have to walk in similar shoes as any type of victim," said Levey.
When the murder case was going through the legal system, the Levey family often felt as if they were not part of what was going on and as if they had no say, he explained.
"Victims need to be informed and have standing in their (legal) case," said Levey. In addition to advising the governor, his "focus is going to be raising the community's awareness of crimes victims' issues and crimes victims' rights."
"Having Dan in this position is critical to ensuring that victims of crime continue to have a voice that will be heard," said Napolitano in a statement. "His personal experience and internal desire to do this work will be especially helpful in Arizona's efforts to include victims in the criminal justice process."
Levey plans to run an ongoing campaign about crime victims' rights, including public service announcements on radio and television and to develop a speakers' bureau of victims and professionals. In addition, he said he will work on crime victims public policy and will be a resource for those who have questions about cases.
Levey will also utilize National Crime Victims week, April 6-12; a press conference is tentatively scheduled for April 7 to announce Ari-zona's education and public awareness campaign of crime victims' rights, he said.
According to the Arizona state constitution, a crime victim is defined as "a person against who the criminal offense has been committed, or if the person is killed or incapacitated, the person's spouse, parent, child or other lawful representative."
There are 12 victims' rights in the state constitution, including the right "to be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity ... throughout the criminal justice process," and "to be present at and, upon request, to be informed of all criminal proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present."
People need to know the rights that exist at their fingertips before they become victims, said Levey.
The 40-year-old Levey and wife Wendy have two children, ages 4 and 7. The family is affiliated with Temple Chai.
|
