On victims’ rights

This month we celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week — a week when we turn our awareness toward crime victims and the rights they deserve. This year’s theme is “New Challenges, New Solutions.” In the wake of the tragedy that befell the City of Boston, this theme is particularly significant.

I, like many others, watched in horror as the events surrounding the Boston Marathon unfolded. After the bombs exploded, the first responders performed heroically, getting help to victims almost instantaneously. There is little doubt that this rapid response saved many, many lives.

As the criminal investigation in Boston continues, and the prosecution commences, it is time for the “second” and “third responders” — those who work in the criminal justice system — to do their part. The criminal justice professionals will assist the victims in countless ways. They first must identify all of those affected. Then, they will provide notice of court hearings, assist with compensation claims, explain the complicated criminal justice process, and ensure that the victims’ voices are heard.

We know that first responders, as part of their formal training, learn how to help victims. We find comfort in the fact that when they complete their education, they will know how to apply a tourniquet, perform CPR, and triage in the face of a mass tragedy. Unfortunately, the same does not hold true for the “second” and “third responders.” The truth is that many criminal justice professionals graduate from school without ever learning about victims and their rights.

For the past few years, a former colleague and I have taught a course at the UW Law School, “Victims in the Criminal Justice System.” We developed this course because we wanted to give law students the chance to develop a firm understanding of the issues surrounding crime victims, which are often complex and nuanced, and are best addressed initially in the classroom rather than in a real-world setting.

This class is one of a handful of courses in the country that focuses on victims. We trace the journey of victims from the point they are victimized through the entire legal process from investigation and charging to post-sentencing. We have speakers from all different disciplines, including prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, survivors, victim advocates, victim/witness specialists, law enforcement, and the media. The feedback we receive from the students is overwhelmingly positive with many students commenting that ours was the best class they took while in law school.

Unfortunately, the University of Wisconsin Law School has chosen to drop this class for the 2013–14 academic year. We have been told that it will only be offered every other year due to budgetary constraints even though we would teach it for free. The decision to cut this class for next year will have a detrimental impact on the course because it will stymie the momentum in enrollment we have gained from past years. In addition, the class is mostly comprised of third-year law students, those in their final year. Offering it every other year will mean, realistically, that half the student body will lose the opportunity to take the course.

More than 30 individuals, including the Dane County sheriff, Dane County district attorney, circuit and appellate court judges, defense attorneys, survivors of crime, and victim advocates have contacted the Law School dean asking that this course be reinstated on an annual basis. Former students have done the same.

The new challenges sparked by the realities of the world in which we live today, demand new solutions, such as teaching about crime victims during the formal education process. After all, a law school that instructs students about criminal law without teaching them about crime victims is like a medical school teaching about diseases and their causes without focusing on patient care.

The UW Law School is a public institution funded with taxpayer dollars. The public’s voice should matter. I invite you to contact UW Law School Dean Margaret Raymond, mraymond2@wisc.edu, and ask her to reconsider her decision.

Jill J. Karofsky
Executive Director, Office of Crime Victim Services
Wisconsin Department of Justice

After the election

Now that the election is completed, acrimony is over and the people have spoken through the ballot box.it is my prayer for the City of Platteville that the new Common Council and it New President will guide the city to better time. It is time that we all act together and create goodwill for each and every one. That we work together to establish what is best for the city and all of its partners.

It is time to rebuild the problems of the past so we can all rejoice in the future.

I encourage all to work for the betterment of our city.

Michael V Mayo
375 S. Chestnut St., Platteville

The Platteville Journal will print most letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion presented. The Journal reserves the right to edit material that is libelous or otherwise offensive to community standards and to shorten letters the Journal feels are excessively long. All letters must be signed and the signature must appear on the printed letter, along with a contact number or email for verification. Some submitted letters may not be published due to space constraints. “Thank you” letters will not be printed. All letters and columns represent the views of the writers and not necessarily the views of The Platteville Journal.