The Arizona Attorney General’s Office proudly nominates Jerra Creason for the Victim Advocate of the Year award. Jerra is a trailblazer—the first victim advocate in the nation assigned to a state Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, and has served with distinction for over two years. Embedded in the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Section, she provides comprehensive victim services from investigation through post-conviction, supporting victims in complex cases involving fraud, homicide, sexual assault, and vulnerable adult abuse. Her leadership was pivotal in State v. Saeed, a high-profile case involving sexual violence and fraud, where she coordinated extensive victim support and logistics through two trials, resulting in conviction. Beyond casework, Jerra advances victims’ rights through training, mentorship, and statewide collaboration. Her professionalism, compassion, and unwavering commitment exemplify excellence in advocacy. Jerra is a truly deserving candidate for this honor.

Victim’s Services doesn’t take days off, and their crucial support for crime victims is needed, no matter how shorthanded the team is or how many cases are on the docket. Mirna Ontiveros has continually shouldered the burden with exceptional professionalism and skill. Mirna has worked with hundreds of victims, in every type of case the Mesa City Prosecutor’s Office sees. Mirna has worked with victims of domestic violence, who are faced with trying to pick up pieces of the worst days of their lives, while also trying to navigate the criminal justice system. She has worked with victims of DUI, including multiple cases involving fatal collisions. Mirna has gracefully and thoughtfully walked alongside victims and their families though every hearing, motion, and update. Through it all, she is a consummate professional, treating every victim and each case with the respect and gravity it deserves. The importance of the role Victim Advocates play in the criminal justice system cannot be understated, and Mirna Ontiveros is simply the best around.

To say Amy Bocks is a strong advocate for victims is an understatement. Amy manages the only advocacy program in the state that covers investigations, prosecutions, direct and federal appeals, and capital appeals. The knowledge and dedication required to work and manage such a wide span of the criminal justice system is exceptional. Her advocacy includes both providing advocacy on some of the most sensitive and complex cases in the office, supervising advocate staff in both Phoenix and Tucson offices, and acting as an advocacy leader around the state. She trains on topics including victim advocacy and restitution, leads project initiatives to improve services, and acts as a role model and guide to new and seasoned victim advocates from many disciplines across Arizona. Amy’s advocacy has statewide impact – her approach is victim-centered and is reflective of how the criminal justice system as a whole should treat victims of crime.”

Mario Solis is a bilingual advocate in the Child Advocacy bureau at Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and is on the Trafficking and Exploitation Grant. Mario works child trafficking and sex crimes cases and cases in which their parents are unsupportive of the minor victim. Mario connects and engages with victims who are typically not cooperative with law enforcement or the prosecution process. He treats them with compassion and respect, no matter their circumstances. Mario contacts various social service agencies to ensure the referral he is going to give is appropriate given the information he knows about the victim and the effects of the victimization. When appropriate, Mario seeks the assistance of a K9 to help victims feel more comfortable participating in the process. A minor victim in one of Mario’s cases said that he was, “One of the few to have the biggest positive influence on my life and someone who I will always be grateful for.”

Angelica Estrada is a dedicated victim advocate who works diligently to keep victims of sexual violence and domestic violence engaged in the case. This is critical for a successful prosecution, but it is also critical for the safety and well-being of the victim, and perhaps to save the life of a victim. Angelica recognizes that victims of sexual violence and domestic violence are often the most difficult to keep engaged in the case. In these cases, Angelica literally will go the extra mile to keep the victim engaged, by going to the victim's last known address to locate the victim, and if necessary, Angelica uses her contacts within the community to find victims who have moved. Angelica is effective in bringing services to the victim to assist the victim in recovering from their trauma. Angelica attends all court hearing or ensures that another advocate attends. Angelica always keeps the victims informed about the progress of their case and what has occurred at any hearing. Angelica works closely with the prosecutors in keeping them up to date regarding her contacts with the victim and the victim's concerns regarding their case. Angelica will reach out to the prosecutor in advance of a court date if there are issues related to the victim that the prosecutor should know before going into a hearing. Angelica is a dedicated professional; she does not judge the victims, and the victims feel her sincere concern for their well-being. It is this sincere concern that keeps victims of sexual and domestic violence engaged throughout the case and gives them the courage to face their attacker in court if necessary.

Jacqueline Lopez exemplifies an advocate who supports the victim at every phase of the criminal justice process. Jacqueline has worked as an advocate at the Pinal County Attorney’s Office for twenty years and has been a Senior Advocate for fourteen years. She is knowledgeable regarding many facets of the Victims’ Services Division. As a Senior Advocate, her peers often rely on her knowledge of victims’ rights, court processes, and departmental procedures. In her role as an advocate and as a leader, Jacqueline consistently goes above and beyond to advocate on behalf of the victim and has encompassed the true meaning of advocacy at every level of support.

Shelby Doyle has been an advocate with the Victim Services Division for the past six and a half years where she started as a volunteer crisis advocate. She is currently an advocate both in the courtroom and at crime scenes. She is a lead over a team of advocates who provides services throughout Southern Arizona in Marana, Oro Valley, Sahuarita, Green Valley and Ajo, Arizona; and she is a volunteer coordinator for our Court Advocate program. Shelby is an example of excellence in advocacy. She is often called upon to work with victims on high profile and complex cases. She has grown and expanded our volunteer court advocacy program to the highest levels since its inception and is looked upon as a mentor for new advocates entering the field. Shelby is a credentialed advocate through the National Organization for Victim Assistance as a Comprehensive Victim Intervention Specialist.

Colleen Phelan is a fierce and compassionate victim advocate. She joined the Pima County Attorney’s Office in 2010, and works with the most vulnerable and voiceless victims – survivors of child abuse and sexual assault. Her unwavering belief in the strength and resiliency of victims helps empower victims to be able to face abusers in court and hold abusers accountable. Colleen has approximately 15 years of experience as an advocate working with victims of sexual assault and child abuse. She is also responsible 24/7 for being the primary handler of one of Pima County’s Courthouse Dogs, Blake, who helps calm and comfort victims/survivors. Colleen is a highly skilled and experienced trainer who has presented locally and nationally on a variety of topics such as sexual assault, child trauma, domestic violence, and vicarious trauma.

Rosanna Cortez is a Victim Advocate with the Pima County Attorney’s Office (PCAO). Rosanna epitomizes the best of victim advocacy. She is compassionate and understanding. She relates and communicates extremely well with all crime victims. She is passionate about empowering them and making a positive difference in victims’ lives. Rosanna’s experience and leadership in crisis response has been invaluable to victims across the nation. After the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City in 2001, Rosanna was among a group of PCAO advocates who provided support and assistance to first responders. On January 8, 2011, Rosanna responded to victims of the mass shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others. And, Rosanna took the lead as PCAO advocates responded to support victims of the October 1, 2017 Las Vegas shooting. Nevada Attorney General Adam P. Laxalt said, “It is truly an honor to work alongside such dedicated and caring professionals.”

During her six years as a victim advocate with the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Tami Sanchez has dedicated herself to working with some of our most challenging and vulnerable victims, survivors of domestic violence. Starting in Pima County’s dedicated domestic violence court in 2011 with a caseload of 250 victims, Tami has continually sought innovative ways to better serve victims. She has taken the lead in implementing a lethality assessment tool used by law enforcement and crisis advocates to connect victims most at risk of serious injury with service providers, chairing the lethality assessment multi-disciplinary team. She implemented and continues to oversee a forensic strangulation program to gather physical evidence to hold abusers accountable. Until recently, she was the sole advocate assigned domestic violence cases that included sexual assault as a component of the abuse. Her passion and commitment for serving DV survivors is unwavering and inspiring.

Debra Blair is a true Victims' Advocate. She ensures that in every case, especially those dealing with significant loss and emotional trauma, that the victims are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect. Debra's calm and empathetic demeanor, coupled with her knowledge of the criminal justice system, provides great comfort to victims who are often re-victimized by a system that all too often relegates them to the shadows. When Debra comes into contact with members of our community, they are often broken. Broken by senseless acts of violence committed on loved ones by heinous criminals. When Debra meets them for the first time, they are often having one of the worst days of their lives. Her mission, which seems impossible at first, is to reassure the victims that our office will do everything possible to ensure that we get "earthly justice" for their loved ones. Debra embodies what a Victim Advocate truly is - a strong, steady proponent for those seeking justice. Debra truly understands the saying that "a victim's first cry is for help; their second is for justice." Debra is, without a doubt, a champion advocate for victims in our community and has earned the highest of recognition.

Marie Peru has served diligently as a victim advocate in the Graham County Attorney’s office for more than 18 years. In that time she has distinguished herself in the community as not only a caring advocate but a friend who will always be there for any crime victim, even if it comes at her own personal sacrifice. Over the years Marie has spent countless hours not only in the office but at scenes and in the homes of many victims. Never keeping her personal cell phone number a secret, Marie has been both a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. You cannot help people facing the most difficult and challenging experiences of their lives without trust, additionally it is impossible to fake the sincerity that true trust brings. Marie never has to worry about fooling any victim as she truly cares about all those for which she advocates.