(Juneau) - The Alaska State Legislature has appointed longtime Anchorage prosecutor Mary Anne Henry as Alaska's crime victim's advocate, head of the Office of Victim's Rights.

Ms. Henry was unanimously confirmed to the appointment in a joint meeting of the Alaska House and Senate on February 8th. Ms. Henry has 28 years of experience in trial law and graduated from Harvard Law School.

Ms. Henry was nominated from a field of eight applicants by a bipartisan victim's advocate selection committee, composed of Representatives Ralph Samuels (R-Anchorage), Bill Stoltze (R-Chugiak/Eagle River), and Ethan Berkowitz (D-Anchorage) in the House, and Senators Charlie Huggins (R-Rural Mat-Su/Chugiak), Fred Dyson (R-Eagle River) and Hollis French (D-Anchorage) in the Senate.

The Office of the Crime Victim's Advocate was established by the Legislature in 2001 as an independent office of the Legislature responsible for ensuring that crime victims enjoy all the rights granted to them under the state Constitution and state law in their dealings with state legal and judicial offices. The office is based in Anchorage but has statewide jurisdiction.

In her new position, Ms. Henry is responsible for advocating in court on behalf of crime victims of felony offenses or class A misdemeanors involving domestic violence or assault. She will also act as a liaison between state agencies and crime victims, advocate on behalf of victims and investigate and report on victims' complaints that agencies have not fulfilled their duties under the state Constitution and laws.

The victim's advocate's term is five years. The advocate may be reappointed but may not serve more than three terms.

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