Victims' Rights Education - Class Topics
A Victim’s Journey
Description: This interactive simulation activity has garnered national attention for its innovative approach to victims’ rights education. Participants will be guided through the criminal justice system while obtaining a more in-depth look at Victims’ Rights Laws in the State of Arizona. Participants will get out of their silos and apply statutes while discussing victim perspectives at all levels of a case.
Audience: All criminal justice and community-based providers; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “Using the exercise as a simulator of the victim journey gives a small glimpse into the uncertainty the victim goes through.”
Adult & Juvenile Probation Victims’ Rights
Description: This presentation covers an overview of victims’ involvement in the criminal justice system, with a focus on probation’s statutory obligations for Arizona crime victims. *COJET approved*
Audience: Probation and court staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “The discussion overall was most useful to my everyday job- especially the statute.” ; “It was helpful getting confirmation about what we are required to do and confirmation on what information we are able to provide to victims.”
Beyond the Courtroom Doors: Criminal Appeals and Victims’ Rights
Description: This presentation provides an overview of victims’ rights in Arizona throughout criminal appeals, with an emphasis on the direct appeal process and notification by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry. This presentation highlights a prison-specific case study that explores how victims are impacted by this process.
Audience: All criminal justice and victim service providers; post-conviction agencies; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “I loved this presentation. The organization was so well done, giving us the process followed by an example and then discussing the impact before moving on to the next step in the process. That [was an] incredibly effective manner of presentation which really highlighted how I in my role within a trial court fit into the larger picture.”
Building the Right Supports to Empower Elder Victims of Crime
Description: This training provides practical knowledge regarding the victimization of vulnerable, elderly adults. Participants will become more aware of known scams or means of victimizing this population, how to best work with elders as they interact with the criminal justice system, applicable victims’ rights in Arizona, and resources for a provider’s toolkit.
Audience: All criminal justice providers; those working with elder victims of crime including community-based providers; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “This presentation was outstanding. I finally attended a COJET and kept my attention with all the needed information.”
Capital Crimes and the Impact on Victims
Description: This training provides information about capital cases from trial through execution. It is presented to enhance understanding of what victims of capital crimes will face in capital cases and ensure that advocates are equipped to prepare victims for that process in the transition from the trial to the post-conviction phase.
Audience: All criminal justice providers; post-conviction agencies
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “Information on the steps that must be completed that make it clear how/why victims may feel frustrated, not heard, etc., throughout the process. The videos were interesting to provide perspective.” ; “The information needing to be covered was heavy and you made it interesting and provided safe spaces for people to have conversations, while explaining the expectations & healthy boundaries. Great balance and excellent presentation - thank you for your professionalism.”
Complex Victims’ Rights: A Workshop for Overcoming Obstacles
Description: This training provides a more in-depth look at victims’ rights that have been identified as challenging to interpret and provide. Participants will have the opportunity to work together to brain storm solutions and learn about other practices around the state.
Audience: All criminal justice providers
Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
What people are saying: “The content was delivered in an interactive, collaborative way that helped support my understanding and retention of the information.” ; “It was a GREAT Training and helpful knowledge for myself and staff to be mindful of in our day-to-day work. Even if it's something folks have already heard before, it's always nice to be reminded of - especially if it's in regards to something that doesn't happen often with their work / caseload or not an area that they typically work in.”
From Crisis to Courtroom: Victims’ Rights, Trauma, and Effective Interaction with the Justice System
Description: This presentation provides an overview of victimization and examines key components of Arizona's criminal justice process that grant victims the right to participate. Attendees will gain insight into how trauma may influence victims' interactions with criminal justice entities and will review scenarios designed to enhance their ability to assist victims in determining if and how to exercise their rights.
Audience: All criminal justice providers; advocates; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “I enjoyed reviewing the scenarios and talking through examples of situations my peers faced.”
It’s Fine; I’m Fine: Vicarious Trauma and Attorneys
Description: Vicarious trauma, that caused by the frequent and ongoing exposure to the trauma suffered by others, affects attorneys and judges at high rates, impacting their professional and personal lives. Through an interactive examination of the Rules of Professional Conduct, this presentation will offer attendees a basic understanding of vicarious trauma, how it can affect their work, and how to integrate self-care and resiliency into their everyday lives to mitigate its affect and avoid burnout.
Audience: All levels and/types of attorneys; judges; victims’ rights attorneys and staff; anyone interested in vicarious trauma & self-care
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “I think these topics are so important to acknowledge in fields where these are taboo and long overlooked. I could have used this presentation to help validate my own feelings years ago!” ; “I love the approach - applying the impact of Vs on our ethical obligations. I had never considered this. I plan on bringing this back to my organization and will encourage conversations with our leadership. Thank you!”
Keepin’ It Legit: Why Victims’ Rights Compliance Matters
Description: This presentation provides a brief overview of the historical development and current process and goals of the Victims’ Rights Complaints Program at the Attorney General’s Office. This interactive training includes a choice of 1 of 2 activities that review common areas of non-compliance and will offer suggestions for supervisors and leaders to implement in order to prevent non-compliance in their offices.
Audience: Those who have completed Basic in the last 5 years; leadership in criminal justice victim services; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
Making Cents Out of Restitution
Description: This training provides a more in depth look at restitution in the state of Arizona and helps the participants apply statutes and mandated duties to their respected roles in victim services. Attendees will obtain useful tools to apply in various restitution scenarios, empowering victims to actualize their constitutional right to “prompt” restitution.
Audience: All criminal justice providers; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “I like being reminded of the different ways in which restitution can be requested, especially to make sure victims feel supported in their request.” ; “The restitution and victim rights were interesting. It gives us a better understanding of the rights and helps us speak and help victims better.”
Navigating the Complexities of Victims’ Rights in the Juvenile Justice System
Description: This presentation provides an overview of victims’ rights within the juvenile justice system. It will enhance understanding of what victims face when their offender is a juvenile, as well as the differences between the adult and juvenile systems. *COJET approved*
Audience: Juvenile justice-specific criminal justice providers
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “I have limited experience with the juvenile justice system so this was all new to me-- it was easy to follow along with the presentation. I appreciated having the case law and statutory citations listed. I also really liked the victim video.”
Opening the Door to Justice: Law Enforcement & Victims’ Rights
Description: This presentation provides information to peace officers on their obligations under victims’ rights laws, including instructions on completing the Victims’ Rights Request/Waiver form. In addition, it will provide an opportunity to explore various scenarios officers will encounter to determine applicable victims’ rights. Ultimately, the presentation prepares officers to better serve victims and ensuring their rights.
Audience: Law enforcement officers; crisis/law enforcement advocates
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “[I enjoyed] every part, especially the information concerning the notice rights and how prevalent it is to the victims.”
Unraveling the Ambiguities of the Post-Conviction Process for Crime Victims
Description: This training provides a more in depth look at the Post-Conviction process in the state of Arizona, especially with regards to victims’ rights. Participants will have the opportunity to walk through case examples and hear about details of post-conviction relief, appeals, the Board of Executive Clemency, probation and correction processes in Arizona.
Audience: All criminal justice providers; victims’ rights attorneys and staff
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “The explanation of the post-conviction process—I can explain to a victim how it works much better now.” ; “Case studies, examples, and walk-through process of appeals process was incredibly useful.”
Victims Have Rights?
Description: This training provides fundamental and basic information about victims’ rights in the state of Arizona, presented in a manner suitable for college, university, or more of an informal atmosphere.
Audience: All criminal justice providers; new victim service providers; students
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “I really liked when we applied our knowledge and were given examples. I really liked the handouts, they were very helpful.” ; “I was most interested in the laws associated since those are harder to comprehend. I enjoyed thoroughly! The case examples/scenarios were excellent.”
Victims in the Spotlight
Description: This presentation provides an in-depth look at how victims of crime have shaped the law by highlighting prominent national and AZ criminal cases where victims have turned tragedy into action. Participants will learn about how victims of crime have used their experiences to make changes in criminal justice system procedures, perceptions and laws to help ensure a better system for future victims. By hearing first-hand from victims who have created change and shared action-based advice, participants looking to make change within the criminal justice system will recognize movements taken that inspired our current laws and energize those looking to make a change.
Audience: All criminal justice providers
Duration: 1.5 hours
What people are saying: “Understanding the cases, what went wrong with them, who fought for change, and the results. Using examples of cases was interesting and useful.”