Crime victims' agency ends first year

ANCHORAGE -- An agency created to help crime victims traverse the often bewildering technicalities and jargon of the criminal justice system ends its first year in existence this month with more than 207 clients having received help.

The Office of Victims' Rights was created by the Legislature in 2001. Although Alaska's Constitution already included an amendment guaranteeing victims' rights, there was no office to oversee the effectiveness of that law.

"Simply passing an amendment is not enough," Sen. Rick Halford, R-Chugiak, said at the time. "Many feel victimized twice -- first by the criminal, then by the system. This office would ensure that victims' rights are protected."

The office is empowered to advocate in state court in all felony offenses, in all class A misdemeanors involving domestic violence, and all misdemeanors involving crimes against the person. Lawyers from OVR may address the sentencing judge on the victim's behalf when they're asked to do so by the victim and when the victim decides not to personally make a victim impact statement to the judge.

One of the office's biggest tasks in its first year was letting criminal justice agencies, the courts and citizens know it was operating as a resource, said director Stephen Branchflower. He and staff members made dozens of appearances during an educational campaign.

Representatives from OVR visited Alaska State Troopers in Palmer, Wasilla Police Department and the district attorney's office in September 2002.

Most of the agency's cases during its first year -- a total of 75, or 37 percent of its caseload -- required simply giving information to clients. After receiving the advice, none decided to file a complaint regarding their case.

Sixty-two cases involved people who had problems or concerns about active criminal cases. They filed formal requests with OVR and the agency obtained documentary evidence from the justice agency involved.

Thirty-six people contacted the office for basic information on how the judicial system works. The cases were easily resolved, according to OVR.

Twenty-seven people came to OVR with what the agency called "significant problems or concerns" about active criminal cases, and required extensive documentation searches by the office.

Staff attorneys provided victims with representation in six court cases.

Only once did the OVR launch a full-scale investigation of a case. That involved Patti Godfrey, who filed a written request for OVR to get documentary evidence from Anchorage Police Department after the Aug. 3, 2002, murder of her husband Glenn Godfrey, an incident in which Patti also was critically shot.

Godfrey complained that APD officers took much too long -- 49 minutes -- to reach her house after a 911 call. Also, she alleged the department violated her rights to privacy by releasing information about her home address and telephone number, and her daughter's home telephone number.

The OVR published a report on its investigation, condemning the release of information and the response time. On Dec. 6, 2002, then-Mayor George Wuerch announced creation of a 911 oversight task force to study Anchorage's 911 shortcomings.

In reviewing the year's activities, Branchflower said the office has tried to forge a cooperative relationship between criminal justice agencies, courts and the victims of crime.

"The advocacy, support and advice they received from OVR attorneys and staff has been key to resolving their cases fairly, and in a way that preserves their dignity, respect and legal rights," he said.