Biography
An experienced attorney and dedicated crusader for victims’ rights, Mr. Jeff Dion is the Director of The National Crime Victim Bar Association (NCVBA). The organization, which is a division of the National Center for Victims of Crime, endeavors to foster a greater understanding of the civil rights afforded to crime victims and to provide legal assistance to attorneys representing victims in civil court. In his directorial position, Jeff Dion lectures throughout the United States on ways to increase dialogue between crime victims and prosecutors on issues of victims’ rights.
Jeff Dion’s mission to advocate on behalf of victims’ rights began at the age of 14 following the murder of his 23-year old sister, Paulette. Jeff’s personal experience navigating the criminal justice system and his own grief led him to dedicate his future career to helping other victims of crime find peace in their life through the civil court system. Through his advocacy efforts, Jeff Dion successfully spearheaded the establishment of 13 victims’ rights bills. The legislation Jeff Dion helped pass included the right of a victim to be present in the courtroom, the right to offer oral impact testimony at sentencing, and the right to confer with the prosecutor. Jeff Dion was also responsible for expanding the legal definition of the term “victim,” increasing protection for victims of criminal stalking and expanding the civil statutes on the limitations of victims’ rights.
Over the course of his career, Jeff Dion has received a number of awards for his work, including the 2006 United States Department of Justice Ronald Wilson Reagan Public Policy Award, the 2005 Northern Virginia Victim Assistance Coalition Champion Award, and the 2003 Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Victim Assistance Award. Jeff Dion has also been distinguished with the 2005 Diamond Award and the 2005 Florida Justice Association "Allies for Justice" Award, as well as been a two-time recipient of the Virginia Network for Victims and Witnesses of Crime Award for Outstanding Service in the Area of Crime Victim Legislation.
Tags: Jeff Dion, Jeffrey Dion, Jeffrey R. Dion, Jeffrey, Jeff, Dion, R., National Center for Victims of Crime, Director,