Grant County Victim/Witness Unit

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July 14, 2006   Ephrata, WA

 

The Grant County Prosecuting Attorney, Grant County Victim/Witness Unit, and the law firm of Dano, Gilbert, & Ahrend, PLLC. were each awarded the 2006 Victim’s Rights Partnership Award this June from the National Crime Victim Law Institute of Portland, Oregon.

 

The award was given for their efforts to uphold victims’ rights in a recent murder trial, in which 13 year old Craig Sorger was the victim.  Prior to and during the trial, the defense counsel repeatedly attempted to use the Sorger family’s privileged and confidential records, and the prosecution was limited as to how much they could argue on behalf of the victims.

 

“Although prosecutors usually attempt to stand up for victim rights,” said Grant County Prosecuting Attorney John Knodell, “prosecutors actually represent the State, not the victims.”  According to Knodell, victims’ rights are often neglected because there is no one to represent them. 

 

When the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office was faced with issues beyond what they could legally argue for the victims, they sought to have an attorney appointed for the Sorger family, who could not afford an attorney on their own.  Judge Kenneth Jorgensen signed the order, appointing an attorney for the Sorgers – believed to be the first ever court-appointed attorney for a victim in the nation. 

 

Garth Dano and his firm agreed to represent the Sorgers.  Dano filed motions and argued to protect the Sorgers’ privacy rights, amidst persistent objections from the defense.  “The accused are provided with an attorney precisely because an attorney is necessary to protect their rights,” said Dano.  “Victims should be provided with an attorney to protect their rights as well, and to prevent them from being victimized a second time during the course of trial.”

 

Providing victims attorneys doesn’t come cheaply, however.  Grant County chose to fund Dano with money from the Victim/Witness Unit budget, which is funded by fines imposed on offenders, not taxes.  “We’re probably the only Victim/Witness Unit in the state that could afford to do this right now,” said Karla Krautscheid, the Victim/Witness Coordinator.  “I’d love to see the day when people find it worth their tax dollars to provide attorneys for victims, but I’m glad we found a way to provide one in this case at least.” 

 

According to Knodell, victims and victims' families have rights granted them in the United States Constitution, the Washington State Constitution, and under the Revised Code of Washington. "It’s time that their rights be held at least at the same level as defendants’, and that someone stands up for those rights,” he said.

 

The National Crime Victim Law Institute agrees.  “When NCVLI saw the work that was done in Grant County, we recognized the work as a perfect example of the partnering for the better of the crime victim, and knew we had to honor those efforts,” said Meg Garvin, Director of Programs for NCVLI.  “It was the partnership and dedication that inspired the creation of this award.”

 

 

Ed Owens, Grant County Deputy Prosecutor, with the 2006 Victim's Rights Partnership Award for the Grant County Prosecuting Attorney and the Victim/Witness Unit in Portland, Oregon.

 

 

George Ahrend and Garth Dano of Dano, Gilbert, & Ahrend and Ed Owens, Grant County Deputy Prosecutor receive the 2006 Victim’s Rights Partnership Award in Portland, Oregon.