Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office Helps Crime Victims

 

Judge Shanon Riley presides over court proceedings, establishes rules and procedures in the courtroom, and mediates between litigants in her appointment as a judge for the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration. An experienced public servant, Judge Shanon Riley began her law career as an associate trial attorney in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office.

Many of the legal issues handled by Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office involve victimization crimes. To address the unique needs of the victims of violent crimes, the district attorney’s office launched the Victim Impact program, which provides information, support, and assistance to victims and their families.

Professional advocates within the Victim Impact program help victims navigate the criminal justice system. Advocates plan and assist with client safety, provide referrals to legal and medical help, and direct clients toward financial assistance and counseling services. Additionally, advocates orient the victim with the legal process, explaining court proceedings, assisting with paperwork and legal documentation, and keeping victims abreast of developments in their case.

Programs of the National Judicial College

An experienced trial attorney and general counsel, Judge Shanon Riley currently oversees workers’ compensation cases in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As part of her commitment to a range of legal issues, Judge Shanon Riley has also completed several continuing education courses, including one through the National Judicial College (NJC) on conducting fair administrative law hearings.

The first judicial education institution open to judges throughout the United States and around the world, the National Judicial College was established in 1963. Over the course of its history, the college has grown to encompass more than 100 courses offered at both an online portal and various physical locations in dozens of states, all of which are designed with the mission of justice, innovation, and education in mind. The NJC’s educational offerings include the following:

-Certificate program. With six different specialty areas, ranging from administrative law adjudication skills to tribal justice skills, the NJC’s certificate program allows participants to focus their education on a single area. As complements to an existing degree, the certificates demonstrate to the profession at large that a judge is dedicated to a particular aspect of law.

-Degree programs. The NJC, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the University of Nevada, Reno, have formed a collaborative to offer master’s and doctor of philosophy degrees in judicial studies. Primarily taught off campus, the master’s degree program can take up to six years with flexible options for the courses taught at any one of the three partner institutions.

-Justice management program. This master’s degree program is also a joint offering of the NJC, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the University of Nevada, Reno. Also supported by five legal associations, the justice management degree program was created to establish a solid academic foundation for people in the legal field.