Week 210

PCAO celebrated successes, welcomed new hires, and honored our staff this week.

This week, we have contributors from our Senior Leadership Team who wanted to share some updates from their departments.

In Victim Services, the Crime Victim Compensation Program, which provides limited financial assistance of up to $25,000 for seriously injured crime victims with funeral costs, counseling expenses, and medical bills, is still reaching our community. All of this while survivors navigate the criminal justice system.

This fiscal year, the state-funded program has awarded a total of $218,553.00 directly to or on behalf of injured victims for compensable costs. The program relies on a dedicated Claims Board of 11 community volunteers appointed by the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, who meet every 4-6 weeks, and three PCAO employees who prepare claims for evaluation by the Board.

In Criminal, congratulations to David Melton and his team in State v. Darryl Robinson. In this case, the Defendant stabbed a passenger on the bus in the neck, sending the victim to the ICU with life-threatening injuries. David and his staff did a great job of putting the case together and getting a conviction.

We’re also excited to welcome our new attorney hires who passed the February Arizona bar exam. They will be starting in the misdemeanor bureau next month. The hiring continues in criminal, we have new secretaries, paralegals, and legal support specialists joining the division.

Meanwhile, Laura stopped by Salpointe Catholic High School earlier this week to speak at career day about pursuing a career in law. The future looks bright!