(a) The victims' advocate has jurisdiction to advocate on behalf of crime victims of felony offenses or class A misdemeanors, if the class A misdemeanor is a crime involving domestic violence or a crime against a person under AS 11.41, in the courts of the state and to investigate the complaints of crime victims of felony offenses or class A misdemeanors, if the class A misdemeanor is a crime involving domestic violence or a crime against a person under AS 11.41, that they have been denied their rights under the constitution and the laws of the state. In this subsection, “crime involving domestic violence” has the meaning given in AS 18.66.990. (b) The victims' advocate shall exercise reasonable care to (1) ensure that the victims' advocate's exercise of jurisdiction granted under this section does not interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation or with a criminal prosecution; (2) prevent employees of the office of victims' rights from making extrajudicial statements that the victims' advocate is prohibited from making under the Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct. (c) The victims' advocate may not advise, counsel, or advocate on behalf of a victim in a way that would (1) prevent or discourage a victim from cooperating in a criminal investigation; (2) encourage a victim to withhold evidence in a criminal investigation; or (3) prevent or discourage a victim from testifying in a criminal proceeding. (d) The victims' advocate shall provide written material to be given out to victims of crime as required by AS 12.61.010. The written material must contain a brief statement about the Violent Crimes Compensation Board and contact information for that board.
‹ Prev All Alaska sections Next ›
Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.