What Can a Crime Victims Lawyer Do for Me?

Recently, the crime rate in the Golden State has increased significantly. Assault, property crime, and other crime victims are only witnesses in the criminal court system. They have no sway over the cases themselves. Furthermore, the criminal court system punishes offenders. By design, it does not fully compensate crime victims.

In short, if you are a crime victim, a prosecutor is not “your” lawyer. Because of their reduced status, many crime victims feel lost in the criminal court system. A crime victims lawyer in Los Angeles gives crime victims a voice in a system that all too often overlooks or ignores them. As outlined below, a lawyer also makes resources available to crime victims they may not otherwise have.

Finally, in many cases, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer obtains maximum compensation for a crime victim’s serious injuries.

A Voice

Los Angeles Accident Attorneys keep victims apprised of the status of criminal cases. Then, when these cases approach the resolution phase, an attorney gives crime victims valuable legal advice.

Usually, prosecutors only interact with witnesses on a limited basis, generally if they want something. They typically ignore status requests and other such communications. So, until the case reaches the resolution phase (more on that below), crime victims are often completely in the dark.

Many Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have prior professional relationships with many prosecutors. So, they have access witnesses do not have. Furthermore, when they reach out to prosecutors with questions, personal injury lawyers often get professional courtesy in return.

State law does not require that prosecutors interface with victims before they make or accept settlement offers. Even if this communication occurs, most victims have no idea if the proposed punishment fits the crime.

Lawyers evaluate criminal case settlement offers and determine if the offers are fair to all parties concerned, given the available evidence and other factors.

A Resource

An attorney guides crime victims to available recovery resources, such as the California Crime Victims Compensation Fund. A lawyer also maximizes these resources.

The California Crime Victims Compensation Fund (CalVCB) provides financial assistance to victims of violent crimes and their families. Funded primarily through fines and penalties paid by offenders, CalVCB helps victims recover from the physical, emotional, and financial impact of crime. It covers expenses that are not reimbursed by other sources, such as medical insurance or court-ordered restitution. Eligible victims may receive compensation for:

• Medical and dental care
• Mental health counseling
• Lost income
• Funeral and burial costs
• Relocation expenses
• Crime scene cleanup

The program also supports child care and home or vehicle modifications for victims with disabilities resulting from a crime.

To qualify, the victim must have reported the crime to law enforcement and cooperated with investigations and prosecution. Usually, victims must file CalVCB claims within three years of the crime, though exceptions exist for minors and special circumstances.

This compensation helps victims rebuild their lives without facing financial ruin. The California Crime Victims Compensation Fund is a necessary supplement to the criminal courts system, because it promotes justice, healing, and recovery for individuals and communities affected by violence.

This all sounds good, but this resource is out of reach in many cases. When crime victims have legal representatives, they’re more than just numbers or names on file folders.

A Check

Many assault or other violent crime victims have additional recourse through the civil court system, thanks to the negligent security doctrine.

Hotel, restaurant, and other business owners have a legal duty to ensure their properties are reasonably safe. This duty includes a responsibility to provide reasonable security.

We should explain that last bullet point a bit further. A topless bar on a busy street probably requires tight security that includes armed bouncers. A bakery on a side street probably requires little or no security, aside from perhaps a camera or two.

Significantly, compensation is only available in negligent security cases if the assault or other incident was foreseeable (possible). Evidence of foreseeability includes prior similar instances in that area, the type of business, as outlined above, and the neighborhood’s crime rate.

Most negligent security cases, like most personal injury cases in general, settle out of court. These resolutions benefit victims/plaintiffs because when defendants settle cases, they immediately write checks. A court verdict, on the other hand, could be tied up in appeals courts for years. Crime victims need money now, not later.

Contact our California crime victims lawyers today

The criminal court system might overlook crime victims, but they still have legal options in California. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in California, contact the Law Offices of Eslamboly Hakim.

Virtual, home, and hospital visits are available.