Morris County Prosecutor's Office Holds Crime Victims' Rights Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony
Published on April 07, 2014
On Monday, April 7, 2014, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office held its annual Crime Victims' Rights Week Recognition and Remembrance Ceremony. The ceremony was held in the Freeholder's
Public Meeting Room on the 5th floor of the Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown.
The ceremony opened with a prayer by the Reverend Janet Broderick, Rector of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 125 South Street in Morristown, in remembrance of victims of crime. Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp then offered welcoming remarks. He noted that the theme, 30 Years: Restoring the Balance honors the great progress made on behalf of millions of victims of crime since the passage of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) in 1984. Before the Victims of Crime Act was established there were few resources available to provide these services to those who have suffered as crime victims. The rights of those victims were often neglected by the criminal justice system. Crime victim compensation programs were not consistently available.
Following the Acting Prosecutor's opening remarks, Morris County Deputy Freeholder Director David Scapicchio presented a Proclamation proclaiming April 6 to April 12, 2014 as Crime Victims' Rights Week in Morris County. The Proclamation reaffirmed the County's commitment to always respect the rights of crime victims and to address their needs.
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, 26th Legislative District, followed and delivered the keynote address concerning the crime victims' rights amendment from a unique prospective. Her late husband, Assemblyman Alex DeCroce, was a major proponent of victims' rights, as is the Assemblywoman. The Acting Prosecutor noted that in August of 2012, Governor Chris Christie signed into law the Alex DeCroce Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act.
The next speaker, Richard Pompelio, Esq., a nationally recognized leader in the area of crime victims' legal assistance spoke about his involvement in the movement. As an attorney, he has represented over 10,000 crime victims in his career and has been recognized as a premier crime victims' lawyer for over two decades. His numerous awards include the Criminal Justice Lawyer of the Year Award from the American Bar Association in 2009. Mr. Pompelio discussed the Victims' Rights movement from its inception, the victories that have been accomplished in the fight, and the hurdles and barriers encountered.
The final speaker was Richard Gill, Supervising Investigator of the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office. Mr. Gill highlighted the activities of his office and the substantial expenditures, both in time and money, the State of New Jersey provides to victims.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp closed the ceremony by reminding the audience of all the victims whose lives have been changed as a result of crimes committed against them and their families. He spoke about the great strides made in the area which including the Alex DeCroce Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act. The Act, amongst other things, included the expansion and clarification that victims have the right to be free from harassment and abuse by any person, including the defendant or any person acting in support of or on behalf of the defendant. It assured that medical assistance would be provided to the victim if it relates to the incident and is consistent with legal requirements. It provided victims timely notifications regarding case progress and scheduling of court proceedings along with notification of the release or escape of the defendant. It expanded the right to confer with a Prosecutor's representative and to be kept informed of the case. It also gave consideration of victims' statements in pre-trial determinations and plea agreements and the right to be present at open court proceedings, unless sequestered. Finally, it allowed victims' families in homicide prosecutions to display pictures of the victim during sentencing statements.
The ceremony was attended by Mayors, Police Chiefs, and many County Officials.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us
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Acting Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Richard Pompelio, Esq.,
Richard Gill, Reverend Janet Broderick, First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante
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