Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center

07/22/2026

Advocate Best Practice Tip❗

Don't forget the 7-day deadline for filing the Victims' Rights Request Form (VRRF).

Under Ohio law:
📄 R.C. 2930.04(I)(2) requires prosecutors to review the Victims' Rights Request Form (VRRF) with the victim (or the victim's representative, if applicable) during their first interaction if it was not previously completed with law enforcement. After a criminal prosecution is initiated, the prosecutor must file the completed VRRF with the court and provide a copy to law enforcement.

⏰ R.C. 2930.06(H) requires the prosecutor to file the completed VRRF with the court within seven days after the criminal prosecution is initiated.

Why does this matter?
Filing the VRRF helps ensure the court and all parties are aware of the victim's requested rights, such as receiving notifications, being present, and being heard throughout the criminal justice process.

✅ Best Practice: When working with victim-survivors during the prosecution stage, it is important to confirm that the VRRF has been completed, submitted to the prosecutor's office, and filed with the clerk of court within the required timeframe.

Taking this simple step can help protect a victim's ability to exercise and preserve their rights, as well as any potential appellate remedies, throughout the case.

07/17/2026

Calling All Central Ohio Attorneys! 📣

Looking to strengthen your legal advocacy on behalf of crime victims? Join the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center for our FREE Practical Attorney Training: Marsy's Law Representation of Crime Victims!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m

📍 OU Lancaster – Brasee Hall, Room 211
1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster, OH 43130

During this 4-hour, in-person training, you'll gain practical, real-world guidance on:
🔵 The latest developments in Ohio victims' rights law
🔵 Asserting victims' rights in both trial and appellate courts
🔵 Effective strategies for representing crime victims under Marsy's Law

🚗 Parking is available directly in front of the building.

Whether you're new to victims' rights legal advocacy or looking to expand your practice, this training will provide valuable tools and practical insights you can immediately apply in your work.

🎟️ Registration is FREE, but space is limited! Register today: https://lnkd.in/euHAE49P

07/14/2026

We are proud of Attorney Bailey for her continued advocacy in State v. Zeitler and her steadfast commitment to protecting victims' rights. This case reinforces an important principle: victims' rights must be meaningfully protected throughout every stage of the criminal justice process—including during plea proceedings, where so many critical decisions are made.

As the National Crime Victim Law Institute recently wrote, "If plea bargaining is where criminal cases are resolved, it must be where victims' rights are protected."

At the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center, we remain committed to ensuring victims' constitutional and statutory rights are actively asserted, protected, and enforced.

When most criminal cases end in plea bargains, victims’ rights cannot be an afterthought.

NCVLI’s latest Rights and Remedies blog examines State v. Zeitler and why victims’ rights need to be protected in real time. https://ncvli.org/most-criminal-cases-end-in-plea-bargains-are-victims-rights-lost-in-the-bargain/

07/09/2026

⭐️Intern Spotlight: Welcome, Ethan!🤩

Please join us in welcoming Ethan Lucas to the OCVJC as our newest Columbus Office Intern!

Ethan is a fourth-year student at The Ohio State University, majoring in English and Political Science with minors in French and Cultural Anthropology. Ethan recently served as the Director of the Justice and Equity Committee for Ohio State Undergraduate Student Government, advocating for minoritized populations across campus and throughout the Columbus community.

With a strong passion for social justice, Ethan believes that empowering communities begins with ensuring people have access to the legal tools and resources available to them. Ethan is excited to support OCVJC's mission by advocating for crime victims and helping ensure every victim has access to dignity, justice, and a meaningful voice throughout the criminal justice process.

We are excited to have Ethan on our team this summer and look forward to the contributions Ethan will make. Welcome to OCVJC!

07/06/2026

📣 Calling all Northeastern Ohio Attorneys!

Join the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for our FREE Practical Attorney Training: Marsy's Law Representation of Crime Victims!

This 4-hour, in-person training will provide attorneys with practical, real-time instruction on:

⚖️ The latest developments in Ohio victims' rights law
📚 Asserting victims' rights in both trial and appellate courts
📖 Practical strategies for representing crime victims under Marsy's Law

📍 Location:
University of Akron School of Law
150 University Ave., Room 280
Akron, OH 44325

➡️ Enter through Door 5 next to the patio.
🅿️ Parking is available in Lot 34 (245–277 Wolf Ledges Pkwy.) or EJ Thomas Parking (198 Hill St.). Please use the ParkMobile app for parking.

Whether you're new to victims' rights or looking to expand your practice, this training offers valuable tools to strengthen your advocacy on behalf of crime victims.

📝 Registration is FREE, but space is limited! Register today:
https://forms.gle/FKXmf4PAYv1mcyv97

07/01/2026

☀️ Please join us in giving a warm OCVJC welcome to our incredible Summer 2026 interns! 💙

We're so excited to have these passionate students joining our team as they learn more about victims' rights, advocacy, and the justice system while making a meaningful impact for crime victims across Ohio.

📍 Columbus Office
💙 Addy – Miami University
💙 Hannah – The Ohio State University

📍 Cleveland Office
💙 Katherine – Oberlin College
💙 Yasmeen – Oberlin College
💙 Quincy – Oberlin College

Throughout the summer, our interns will be gaining hands-on experience, supporting our attorneys and advocates, participating in trainings, and helping advance victims' rights across the state.

Welcome to the OCVJC family! We can't wait to see all you'll accomplish this summer. 🎉

06/24/2026

📅 Save the Date: 11th Annual Responding to the Needs of Victims Conference

Join the Elliot Kolkovich, Summit County Prosecutor Office for the 11th Annual Responding to the Needs of Victims Conference, a premier training event dedicated to advancing victim-centered practices and protecting victims’ rights.

For more than a decade, this conference has brought together nationally recognized experts to share best practices, emerging trends, and collaborative approaches to serving victims.

🎤 Keynote Speaker: Jim Schmidt and Gabby Petito Foundation

This conference is designed for:
✔️ Law Enforcement
✔️ Fire & EMS Personnel
✔️ Legal & Judicial Professionals
✔️ Probation Officers
✔️ Victim Advocates
✔️ Social Workers
✔️ Counselors
✔️ Medical Professionals

Conference Topics:
🔹 The Role of First Responders and Allied Professionals in Domestic Violence Response – Gabby Petito Foundation

🔹 Evidence-Based Prosecution in Domestic Violence Cases – AEquitas

🔹 Responding Collaboratively to Meet the Needs of Victims – Victim Assistance Program

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts and strengthen your response to victims in your community. More details and registration information coming soon!

06/22/2026

⚖️ OCVJC Attorney Training Opportunity – Limited Spots Available!

The OCVJC is proud to announce a new training opportunity designed exclusively for attorneys.

OCVJC Practical Attorney Training for Marsy's Law Representation of Crime Victims is a FREE 4-hour interactive training that will provide in-depth information on the latest developments in Ohio victims' rights law, as well as practical, real-time training on asserting victims' rights in both trial and appellate courts.

Because this is a highly interactive training, registration is limited to 25 attorneys. We encourage interested attorneys to register early to reserve their spot.

📍 Location:
Hamilton County Jury Commission Office
1000 Main Street, Room 455
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
✅ Free Training
✅ Interactive Format
✅ Practical Litigation Strategies

REGISTER TODAY: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ScDfEa9cM7TwCWKCoFWIkabpsTX8R2X4wpuB3RQyGuE/viewform?ts=6a29752f&edit_requested=true

Have questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

06/16/2026

Welcome, Gabriela and Jordyn! 🥳

Please join us in welcoming our Cincinnati Law Interns, Gabriela and Jordyn, to the Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center (OCVJC) this summer!

Both Gabriela and Jordyn are rising 2Ls at the University of Dayton School of Law and will be supporting OCVJC's mission to protect and advance the rights of crime victims across Ohio. We are excited to have them join our team and look forward to the passion, dedication, and fresh perspectives they will bring to our work.

Welcome to OCVJC, Gabriela and Jordyn—we're thrilled to have you with us!

06/12/2026

Every victim-survivor's journey is unique.

Healing doesn't follow a timeline, and there is no "right" way to move forward after experiencing crime or trauma. Whether you are taking your first step or your hundredth, your voice, your experiences, and your rights matter.

At OCVJC, we remain committed to ensuring victims are informed, supported, and empowered throughout the criminal justice process.

💙 You deserve to be heard.
💙 You deserve to be informed.
💙 You deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.