Alaska Administrative Code Title 23 - Office of Victims' Rights
Here’s an enhanced overview of Alaska Administrative Code, Title 23 – Office of Victims’ Rights:
📚 Structure & Scope
Title 23 governs the Office of Victims’ Rights, outlining its organization, procedures for handling complaints, victim advocacy, data confidentiality, and general rules. It is organized into:
Chapter 05 – Office Management (§ 23 AAC 05.010–05.030)
Chapter 10 – Investigations (multiple articles on complaints, processes, hearings)
Chapter 20 – Advocacy on Behalf of Victims
Chapter 30 – Confidential Information (including disclosure rules)
Chapter 40 – General Provisions (§ 23 AAC 40.010–40.100) (law.cornell.edu, ovr.akleg.gov)
🏢 Chapter 05 – Office Management
23 AAC 05.010: Defines the “victims’ advocate” (director or associate)
05.020: Office is based in Anchorage
05.030: Office hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon–Fri, excluding state holidays, with midday closures (ovr.akleg.gov)
🕵️ Chapter 10 – Investigations
10.010: Sets criteria for acceptable written, signed complaints and prohibits anonymous filing
10.020–10.040: Outlines review, acceptance/denial of complaints, priority handling (emergencies, felonies, domestic violence)
10.120: Covers subpoenas and private hearings, with rules on service, testimony recording, and costs (ovr.akleg.gov)
10.200: Details grounds and procedures for discontinuing investigations (courts.alaska.gov)
👥 Chapter 20 – Advocacy on Behalf of Victims
20.100+: Staff may reach out to victims to explain their rights and assist in filing complaints
Guidance ensures victims aren’t discouraged from cooperating with law enforcement (ovr.akleg.gov)
🔒 Chapter 30 – Confidential Information
Protects victim-related and sensitive data
30.120–30.140: Sets rules for anonymized statistical disclosures and objections by agencies to confidential info in reports
30.150: Allows the victims’ advocate to present findings to a grand jury without prior notice (law.cornell.edu, ovr.akleg.gov)
⚖️ Chapter 40 – General Provisions
40.010: Annual report must be published after fiscal year’s end and sent to the legislature (regulations.justia.com)
40.020–40.050: Covers personnel records confidentiality, flexibility in regulations, severability, and language usage (e.g. gender neutrality)
40.100: Defines key terms like “victim,” “criminal defendant,” “confidential,” “justice agency,” etc. (ovr.akleg.gov)
ℹ️ Summary
| Purpose | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Office Setup | Located in Anchorage, open Mon–Fri 8–5 |
| Complaint Process | Written, signed complaints only; priority given to urgent/emergency cases |
| Investigation Tools | Subpoenas, private hearings, cost rules |
| Advocacy Roles | Staff may educate victims & assist in criminal proceedings |
| Confidentiality Rules | Protect personal info; grand jury access; statistical data release rules |
| Reporting & Definitions | Annual reports, regulatory flexibility, clarified legal definitions |
📌 For Further Reference
To explore full text, look up specific sections via:
23 AAC 05–40 = Title 23, Alaska Administrative Code, Office of Victims’ Rights
Specific rules like 23 AAC 10.010 (complaint requirements) or 23 AAC 40.010 (annual report)
The Alaska Office of Victims’ Rights’ PDF regulations (adopted June 1, 2004) offer complete detail (touchngo.com, ovr.akleg.gov).
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