TONIGHT'S GUEST: Attorney Michelle S. Cruz

Tonight's guest is Connecticut, Massachusetts and the U.S. District Court Attorney Michelle S. Cruz. 

Attorney Michelle Cruz has over two decades worth of experience working with crime victims in a myriad of diverse roles.  In November of 2007, Governor M. Jodi Rell appointed her as Connecticut’s 2nd State Victim Advocate to head the Office of the Victim Advocate, an independent crime victims’ rights agency.  Attorney Cruz diligently fought against the early release program in CT which led to the release of 7,589 violent offenders, including Frankie Resto who murderer Ibrahim Ghazal only few months after being released early. 

She has argued numerous motions on behalf of CT crime victims, including a successful argument that allowed Dr. William Petit, the surviving family member of the Cheshire CT triple homicide, to attend the entire capital felony murder trial.  She was also successful in advocating for the creation of a State Missing Persons Unit within the CT’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. 

Attorney Cruz has published numerous articles and has made numerous appearances on both radio and television and a frequent columnist for the CT Law Tribune. Michelle is a Lecturer at Law at the University of Connecticut, School of Law, and serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Bay Path College and Capital Community College.  Attorney Cruz has a private law practice in CT serving clients in MA and CT.  

Michelle is a regular contributor to the Connecticut Law Tribune