Justice Department Honors Law Institute For Promoting Victims' Rights In Criminal Courts

PORTLAND, Ore., April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Justice Department will honor the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), the only national organization focusing on enforcing victims' rights in criminal courts.  Attorney General Eric Holder will present NCVLI with the award during the National Crime Victims' Rights Week awards ceremony on April 24, 2013 in Washington, D.C.

"These committed individuals are being honored for their dedication to assisting and supporting victims of crime all across the country," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "Their actions inspire all Americans, to do what we can, each in our own way, to help lessen the physical, emotional and financial impacts of crime on people in our communities."

NCVLI will receive the Crime Victims' Rights Award that honors efforts to advance or enforce crime victims' rights. Founded in 2000, NCVLI created a national network of trained lawyers who defend victims' rights at no cost to the victim.  In 2002, NCVLI, with support from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), pioneered a five-year demonstration project to provide these services.  This resulted in more than 800 victims receiving no-cost legal services and more than 13,000 individuals nationwide trained on victims' rights enforcement.  NCVLI educates legal professionals, pairs crime victims with pro bono attorneys and leads public policy reform.   Last year, NCVLI trained more than 1,600 lawyers, assisted in more than 100 legal matters and grew to more than 1,000 members.

In addition to the National Crime Victim Law Institute, Attorney General Holder will recognize 12 other individuals and organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of crime victims.  Descriptions and videos of the honorees are available at the OVC's Gallery: https://ovcncvrw.ncjrs.gov/Awards/AwardGallery/gallerysearch.html.

President Reagan proclaimed the first Victims' Rights Week in 1981, calling for renewed emphasis on, and sensitivity to, the rights of victims.  National Crime Victims' Rights Week will be observed this year from April 21-27.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. For more information about OJP, please visit: www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs