Office of Victims’ Services
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DEATH PENALTY BACKGROUND INFO
View Background - People v. Michael Angelo Morales 
[PDF 1.5 mb / 54 pg]. In addition to information on the death penalty in California, this document provides factual descriptions and background in the case of Michael Angelo Morales, who was convicted by a Ventura County jury in 1983 and sentenced to be executed. Morales has petitioned the Governor for a granting of clemency. The background information includes a factual descriptions of the crime, photographs of the victim, victim impact statements from family members and a case chronology
View Background - People v. Clarence Ray Allen [PDF 4.4 mb / 52 pg]. In addition to information on capital punishment in California, this document provides factual descriptions of the multiple violent felony crimes for which Clarence Ray Allen was convicted and executed; a chronology of the litigation in this case; photographs of the victims; and victim impact statements from family members.
The Office of the Attorney General established the Office of Victims’ Services in the California Department of Justice upon taking office in 1999. The work of the Office of Victims’ Services reflects the Attorney General's compassion and belief that the department should be of service to Californians who are victims of crime.
Since its creation, the Attorney General's Office of Victims’ Services has worked to improve the coordination of assistance and outreach programs for crime victims.
The Special Counsel of the Office of Victims’ Services is Deborah Bain. Ms. Bain is a former deputy district attorney in Yolo County and El Dorado County. Ms. Bain has prosecuted a variety of cases including, but not limited to, robbery, kidnap, rape and murder. She was the vertical prosecutor for domestic violence, child molest and sexual assault cases. She is a three time recipient of the Victim Witness Service Award for Outstanding Service to Victims of Crime. She has served as a staff counsel for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board and a senior staff counsel with the Board of Parole Hearings.
Ms. Bain states, "The guiding principle of the Office of Victims’ Service is to provide support, information and assistance to victims at every stage of the criminal process. It is an essential service in empowering victims."
Through the Office of Victims’ Services, crime victims and the family of murdered victims now are able to track the status of criminal cases and appeals. These updates allow victims and family survivors to exercise their rights to testify or otherwise participate in parole, clemency and execution proceedings.
Taking advantage of important law enforcement and community networks, the Office of Victims’ Services spearheaded the first local Amber Alert Program designed for quick mobilization to rescue children who are abducted from home and their neighborhoods. The first local program was launched working with the sheriff of Orange County. The program later was expanded to seven Sacramento-area counties. The Amber Alert Program has since gone statewide with notable success in rescuing abducted children.
Color Guard and Mural of Murder Victims at the California Capitol for April 20 event marking National Victims Rights Week. The Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Crime Victims joined in addressing the importance of coordinated services for crime victims.