Victim Rights Attorney in Orange County, CA
The Brewer Law Firm has decades of experience representing the victims of all types of criminal acts in Orange County and surrounding areas of California. Our victim right’s services supplement today’s severely-stretched law enforcement services and offer a valuable layer of protection. An Orange County victim rights lawyer is an invaluable resource for ensuring your voice is heard when you or a loved one is the victim of any type of criminal act.
Experienced Victims’ Rights Advocacy in Orange County, CA
The dedicated team at The Brewer Law Firm has decades of experience helping clients ensure their voices are heard in a criminal justice system that is strained to record levels. Many police departments have massive backlogs of unsolved and unfinished cases, and public prosecutors prioritize their cases in ways that often leave victims feeling overlooked and unheard.
The Public Policy Institute of California reported that between 2022 and 2023, property crime in Orange County increased by just 1%, while violent crime increased by about 9%. While Orange County is largely considered one of the most beautiful and affluent areas of California, the reality is that hundreds of people in Orange County are victims of all types of crime each year.
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At this time in history, law enforcement services and resources are severely stretched, and are becoming increasingly limited, due to lack of staffing and budget cuts. Police officers are often reluctant to act, as crime soars and society becomes increasingly unstable, and choose to “play it safe,” and stay out of conflict with potential criminals.
Victims may need their own private attorney to function as prosecutor, especially in complicated or difficult cases. To achieve a positive outcome, victims need the experience of a former prosecutor like Mike Brewer, to investigate their crime and present it to law enforcement for prosecution. Your Orange County victim rights lawyer at The Brewer Law Firm can:
- Represent you in criminal court proceedings, ensuring your voice is heard in front of a judge and jury.
- Advocate for your interests through all stages of your criminal court proceedings.
- Seek restitution on your behalf for the economic and non-economic losses you have suffered due to the defendant’s criminal actions.
- File motions with the court to protect your rights to privacy, dignity, and protection.
- Ensure your safety if you are called to testify as a witness, making sure you are not threatened, intimidated, or harmed in any way so you can speak up about your experience with confidence in the courtroom.
- Keep you informed about new developments in your case as they unfold.
- Draft victim impact statements on your behalf, conveying the details of your experience to the court to ensure they understand the full scope of the effects of the defendant’s actions.
- Collaborate with public prosecutors on your behalf to ensure their proceedings respect your rights.
Ultimately, having an experienced Orange County victim rights lawyer on your side can provide peace of mind and a greater chance of ensuring accountability for the defendant who harmed you. The right attorney can also help you pursue compensation for the damages you suffered, and you can trust the team at The Brewer Law Firm to provide compassionate and results-driven advocacy throughout all stages of your case.
Protecting Orange County Victims Under Marsy’s Law
Mike Brewer and the team at The Brewer Law Firm are fierce advocates of victims under Marsy’s Law. This legislation provides several enumerated rights to victims of criminal acts in California. A victim has the right to be treated with fairness, and the criminal justice system is required to respect their dignity and privacy. Victims also have the right to be free from harassment, abuse, and intimidation throughout all criminal court proceedings.
Marsy’s Law also gives victims the legal right to have their own attorney in court, to have a seat at the counsel’s table. This law ensures a victim’s voice is heard, that they are kept informed, and that their rights are enforced. We are the voice for our clients who have victimized. We use our many years of experience as prosecutors and defense attorneys to achieve the very best outcomes for our clients.
How an Orange County Victim Rights Lawyer Can Help
There are some situations where victims need help, but where the situation does not lend itself to action by law enforcement or the criminal justice system. This may include situations where someone who is threatened needs our guidance to set up a private witness protection, which may include physical relocation and a name change.
The Brewer Law Firm has also assisted in the recovery of kidnapped children, including a child taken to eastern Europe by a non-custodial and unstable parent. We can handle just about any function that prosecutors and law enforcement would need to provide, but they are not doing so for certain reasons. We have the resources and contacts, in the U.S. and overseas, to get the job done in a legal, discrete, and ethical manner.
Our firm has the experience and resources necessary to develop comprehensive legal strategies to ensure our clients’ rights are protected when they have been victims of any crime. We work with a wide network of legal professionals, investigators, scientific and forensic experts, and advocacy groups, arranging special teams that meet a client’s individual needs.
While the California Victims’ Compensation Board offers an avenue of recovery to those who have been victims of criminal acts, navigating this process can be challenging in many ways, and the recovery available is limited. You may have more options than you realize, and the right attorney can help you make sense of your situation and navigate your case efficiently. Reach out to The Brewer Law Firm today to learn more about the legal services we provide to victims.
FAQs
Q: Can I Sue After Being the Victim of a Crime in Orange County?
A: Yes, you can sue after being the victim of a crime in Orange County. While the criminal justice system will prosecute the defendant for breaking the law, this case is meant to punish the defendant, not to compensate the victim. You may have grounds to file a civil suit and pursue compensation for any damages the defendant inflicted, such as medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and the pain and suffering they have caused.
Q: How Long Do You Have to Claim California Victims’ Compensation?
A: You have limited time to claim California victims’ compensation through the California Victims’ Compensation Board. You must file your application within seven years of the date of the crime, within seven years of the primary victim turning 21, or within seven years of the date the crime could have been discovered. Whichever date is the latest will be the beginning of the time limit to file an application for victims’ compensation.
Q: How Much Can You Get for Victims’ Compensation in California?
A: The maximum amount you can get for victims’ compensation in California is a lifetime maximum of $70,000. It’s important to remember that the California Victims’ Compensation Board is meant to function as a last resort. You may be able to claim full compensation for your damages through a civil lawsuit against the defendant. Your Orange County victim rights lawyer can explain all of your available avenues of recovery.
Q: What Are the Rights of Victims Under Marsy’s Law?
A: The rights of victims under Marsy’s Law include the right to claim restitution for their losses, the right to privacy, the right to access information about their case, the right to reasonable protection from further harm, and the right to speak during defendants’ sentencing and parole hearings. Victims also have the right to refuse interviews and to have any stolen or confiscated property returned to them once it is no longer needed as evidence.
The attorneys at The Brewer Law Firm can provide comprehensive legal support for victims of all types of violent crimes and property crimes in Orange County. Whether you are seeking protection for yourself, your family, or your business, our team will develop an individualized strategy tailored to your unique needs. Contact us today and schedule your consultation with an Orange County victim rights lawyer to learn how we can assist you.
