All posts filed under: Attorney Michelle Cruz

Shattered Lives: Victim Impact Statement and Sentencing

One of the remaining avenues for crime victims to have a voice within the courts is through victim impact statements. Victim impact statements are usually read after trial and during the sentencing phase as a way to get into the record the impact of the crime on the victims, their friends and families. Shattered Lives Radio talks with two champions of victims’ rights, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley and attorney Michelle S. Cruz, who is serving as this week’s co-host. Both women have used their skills and experience to step into the gap for victims of crime through their advocacy and legislative positions. Realizing that crime victims often are in trauma, even years after the crime, they use their understanding of the justice system to pave a smoother path. Host, Donna Gore, offers her personal knowledge of the subject as well as bringing something new to the table, a Victim Impact Assistance Service where crime victims can take advantage of her vast talent at a time when their lives are in chaos. Nancy O’Malley Using her position as the …

Attorney Michelle S. Cruz Appointed to New Position with NOVA

Published by ImaginePublicity

Championing Dignity and Compassion for those harmed by Crime and Crisis The above mission statement of National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) is something that is within the fabric of Attorney Michelle S. Cruz. Her 20 year career has been victim oriented and diverse, most recently establishing her private law practice since leaving her office of State Victim Advocate in Connecticut. It’s with great honor that Michelle Cruz has accepted the request from NOVA to participate as an Advisory Board Member/Trainer in NOVA’s first National Victim Assistance Distance Learning Training Academy. “This exciting training program will meet all of the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) guidelines for core victim advocacy training. Advocates in attendance will have the unique opportunity to receive 40 hours of specialized training from nationally-recognized, seasoned Victim Advocates in live, virtual classrooms with other new Victim Advocates.” Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause. NOVA is a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Michelle S. …

Attorney Michelle S. Cruz, ImaginePublicity

Michelle S. Cruz Talks to Dr. Laurie Roth About Rights of Domestic Violence Victims

Published by ImaginePublicity

Join Dr. Laurie Roth weekdays at 7-10pm Pacific, 10pm-1am Eastern Listen LIVE or to the Archive: http://therothshow.com As the nation is in the midst of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, those who work for the rights of those victims do it every month. As most victims of domestic violence can relay, the journey through the court system is confusing, painful and often a series of re-victimizations for one going through the traumatic experience. Attorney Michelle S. Cruz has walked many a victim through the process, insuring that their rights are upheld in court, and using her influence to gain even further protection for those rights. As the former State Victim Advocate in Connecticut, Cruz has been vocal on many issues concerning victims’ rights and has years of experience as a prosecuting attorney working with high risk domestic violence cases. She’s testified to create new legislation that will continue to protect the rights of victims of all crime. During the second hour of The Roth Show, Michelle Cruz and Dr. Laurie Roth will discuss the issues of …

Dr. Laurie Roth, The Roth Show, ImaginePublicity

The Roth Show: Diane Fanning, True Crime and Michelle Cruz, DC Shooting

Published by ImaginePublicity

Join Dr. Laurie Roth weekdays at 7-10pm Pacific, 10pm-1am Eastern Listen LIVE or to the Archive: http://therothshow.com Wednesday Crime segment welcomes back Diane Fanning and Attorney Michelle S. Cruz Hour #1 Famed true crime author, Diane Fanning’s 20th published book, SLEEP MY DARLINGS, chronicles the case of Tampa mother, Julie Schenecker who is accused of shooting her two teenage children to death in 2011. Her trial was set for October, 2013, but recently has been postponed until April, 2014. It’s reported that prosecutors, who are seeking the death penalty, need more time to prepare. According to The Tampa Bay Times, Schenecker’s defense attorneys will be pursuing an insanity defense. Diane Fanning will bring listeners up to date on the case, as well as provide the background as written in SLEEP MY DARLINGS. What motive could Julie Schenecker have to kill her own children? Was she mentally ill? Will this be a successful death penalty case? Sixteen-year-old Calyx and thirteen-year-old Beau Schenecker were found dead—both of them shot, then covered with blankets. Upon questioning, Julie admitted …

Attorney Michelle Cruz Keynote Speaker at NCVAN Training Conference in North Carolina

Published by ImaginePublicity

Attendees of the annual North Carolina Victim Assistance Network Conference will learn about the key elements to responding to mass victimization from keynote speaker, Attorney Michelle S. Cruz and her presentation, “Victim Services and Needs in Mass Tragedies.” In our time we have seen numerous mass tragedies occur, in our cities, in our schools, movie theaters, they can happen anywhere at any time, killing and injuring hundreds or thousands very quickly. How we respond to the needs of the victims in these catastrophes is paramount to their healing and ability to overcome the trauma endured. Attorney Michelle Cruz was the State Victim Advocate of Connecticut at the time of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting where 26 people, 20 of whom were children, lost their lives. The response of her office for the surviving victims and families was to gather information and compile data from agencies across the country and funnel volunteers to help the victims. Unfortunately, her tenure in office expired before being able to insure that donated funds for the victims’ families were properly disbursed. Cruz …