Terry Goddard to Honor Chief Justice Ruth McGregor, Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith at Victims Rights Ceremonies

(Phoenix, Ariz. – April 27, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard will host two events this week to commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.   

At a ceremony on Tuesday in Tucson, Goddard will recognize nine exceptional interns from the University of Arizona for their contributions to the Attorney General’s Office of Victim Services. 

At a Wednesday ceremony in Phoenix, Goddard will pay tribute to Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor for the many steps she has taken to improve the Arizona judicial system’s victim services. He will also recognize Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith for the support he has given to victims of abuse in Colorado City, Arizona.  

The theme of the 25th Annual National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “25 Years of Rebuilding Lives: Celebrating the Victims of Crime Act.” Across Arizona, Victims’ Rights Week activities will promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.   

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE SERVICE RECOGNITION AWARDS: TUCSON 

Goddard will present awards to undergraduate and law school interns who have demonstrated exceptional compassion and dedication toward victims of crime.  

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS: PHOENIX 

Goddard will present Special Recognition awards to Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor and Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith.   

Goddard will also present awards to representatives from DOVES, a Phoenix-based organization that serves late-life victims of domestic violence; Ama Doo Alchini Bighan, Inc., (ADABI), a domestic violence and sexual assault crisis intervention organization that serves the Navajo Nation; Dan Levey, the Governor’s Office Advisor for Victims; and Lydia Johnson, longtime manager of the Arizona Department of Corrections Victim Notification Unit.