Justice League of Ohio visits Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Catherine Harper Lee, founder of the Justice League of Ohio, and Oziel Jeffries, Speaker Host.

  

 Attention club members:

 Please remember to turn in your Engagement Records to Joe Waske at the next meeting. 

Catherine Harper Lee, founder of the Justice League of Ohio, stated that the rights of victims of crime can be overlooked. Ten years ago, when she founded the Justice League, there were many organizations dedicated to protecting rights of defendants, but none to protect the rights of victims.

Harper Lee pointed out that victims have legally defined rights. She stated that there are currently over 100 laws in Ohio which provide specific rights to victims of felony and some misdemeanor crimes. Unfortunately, many victims are not aware of their rights and many justice officials do not have the proper training covering the Ohio laws protecting victims. Additionally, victims must be proactive and ask to exercise certain of the rights guaranteed to them. Harper Lee established the Justice League to ensure that victims of crime know what their rights are and to ensure victims would be protected throughout the criminal justice process...

Harper Lee said that the Justice League of Ohio is a small, non-profit organization with 2 full time staff and 4 volunteers. In the last 10 years, the organization has helped over 870 victims. Many of the victims she deals with are sexually abused children. More about the story of the founding of the Justice League of Ohio can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwnQa7yoAGU and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jljf0Uhcan0

The Justice League of Ohio Crime victims’ Rights Legal Clinic provides free legal representation and assistance to crime victims in Ohio. In order to increase awareness of crime victims’ rights, the League also provides free victims’ rights training and technical assistance to various organizations such as hospitals, law enforcement, courts, and community organizations.

Victims can find out more about their rights in the booklet “Picking Up the Pieces” published by the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Victims can get a copy of the booklet by contacting the Justice League of Ohio—614-848-8500, cathyharperlee@tjlo.org --or downloading the booklet at http://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/PickingUpThePieces.

The club meets 7:30 am every Tuesday at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chair Jim Vaughan, 740-260-2969. More information about the Byesville Rotary can be found at: www.Byesvillerotary.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Byesville-Rotary/256548047818283