Did you know that with certain crimes you are entitled to know all court dates, and are entitled to have input into case settlement decisions?? Did you know that with certain assaultive crimes, you do not have to cooperate at all?
Did you know that as a victim of crime who has suffered economic loss, you are entitled victim restitution -- a money judgment against the defendant that is not dischargeable in bankruptcy?
Marsy's Law, or the Victim's Bill of Rights, gives victims many rights -- rights most people don't know about, but should know about -- that knowledge puts you, the victim, in a position of awareness and allows you to stay on top of what is likely a very difficult situation.
And as a victim, your goals may be different than the prosecutor's goals, or the defense attorney's goals; you may have you own ideas on what should be done and because of Marsy's Law you now have the right to be heard. In fact, you may be surprised to know that California has an agency that deals solely with claims made by victims for money due to injuries suffered as a result of criminal conduct.
Witnesses have rights, too, and your goals as a witness to a crime too may be different that the prosecutor's or defense attorney's goals in your case.
As a former prosecutor and now defense attorney, I can definitely tell you that if you want to be truly heard, it is better to have your own attorney speak for you, as your point of view will be taken very seriously.
And becasue of my background and training, I see the issues from both sides, and am uniquely able to help you in this time of need -- whether it is handling a subpoena, being heard as to a plea bargain, or getting the maximum amount of money you are entitled to under California law.
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