Independent Legal Representation for California Crime Victims
California's criminal justice system gives victims important rights. Mark A. Amador represents victims and families in Marsy's Law matters, critical criminal proceedings, restitution, privacy and protection issues, parole matters, and related civil remedies.
Statewide California representation. Office in San Diego.
The prosecutor represents the People. Private counsel represents you.
A crime victim can have constitutional rights in a criminal case without becoming a party to the prosecution. Private victims' counsel focuses on the victim's rights, preparation, information, safety concerns, restitution, and participation at the stages where California law gives the victim a voice.
Marsy's Law
Understand, assert, and when necessary seek enforcement of California constitutional victim rights.
Explore Marsy's Law → 02Criminal-Case Advocacy
Prepare for bail, plea, sentencing, privacy, protection, and other significant stages of a prosecution.
Explore representation → 03Restitution
Identify, document, and present qualifying economic losses through the criminal restitution process.
Explore restitution → 04Civil Remedies
Evaluate separate civil accountability against an offender or, where the law supports it, another responsible party.
Explore civil remedies →Decades of prosecutorial and trial experience, now focused on the victim.
Before joining Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP, Mark Amador served in the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. He tried more than 100 cases, secured more than 25 murder convictions in jury trials, led the office's Appellate and Training Division, and later served as Chief of New Legislation Implementation.
That background does not guarantee any result. It does provide practical experience with how criminal cases move, how prosecutors and courts address difficult issues, and how a victim's rights fit within a process controlled by the State.
A crime can create more than one legal problem.
The criminal case, restitution, and a possible civil claim are related but distinct.
Marsy's Law concerns the victim's constitutional rights in the criminal justice process. Restitution is ordered through the criminal case when the legal requirements are met. A separate civil claim may address damages and responsibility under civil law.
Not every crime supports a viable third-party civil claim, and a business or property owner is not automatically liable because a crime occurred. Civil responsibility can depend on duty, foreseeability, notice, control, causation, damages, and other facts.
Common reasons victims contact counsel
- An important hearing is approaching.
- They are not receiving information or notice.
- They have safety, privacy, or defense-contact concerns.
- Restitution losses are substantial or disputed.
- A parole or post-conviction proceeding is pending.
- They need to understand whether civil remedies exist in addition to the criminal case.
Serving victims across California
The firm's office is in San Diego. Representation may be available throughout California, with the needs of each matter determining whether appearances, preparation, or meetings are handled remotely or in person.