Plain-English Guides for Crime Victims and Families
Use these resources to understand the criminal process, Marsy’s Law, victim participation, restitution, privacy, parole, and the difference between criminal and civil remedies.
A California Crime Victim’s Guide to the Legal Process
A practical overview of what can happen from investigation through sentencing, restitution, appeal, and parole—and where the victim’s rights fit.
Marsy’s Law & victim rights
What Is Marsy’s Law?
The constitutional foundation, who qualifies, and the major rights.
Read guide →Can a Crime Victim Hire Their Own Attorney?
What private victim counsel does and how the role differs from the prosecutor.
Read guide →Does the District Attorney Represent the Victim?
Why the DA represents the People and what that means for a victim’s personal legal interests.
Read guide →How Are Marsy’s Law Rights Enforced?
What the Constitution permits and why timing matters.
Read guide →Hearings & participation
Bail and Release Hearings
Safety concerns, participation, and release conditions.
Read guide →Plea Discussions
Consultation, notice, and the limits of a victim’s role in plea decisions.
Read guide →Sentencing Rights
Notice, attendance, being heard, and restitution.
Read guide →Victim Impact Statements
What to address, what the statement is for, and how to prepare.
Read guide →Privacy, protection & defense contact
Crime Victim Privacy Rights
Personal information, confidential records, and practical privacy concerns.
Read guide →Does a Victim Have to Talk to a Defense Investigator?
California law gives victims important choices about defense interviews.
Read guide →Safety and Protection Issues
Release conditions, protective orders, and case-specific safety concerns.
Read guide →Restitution & post-conviction
What Losses Can Be Included in Restitution?
Common economic-loss categories and documentation.
Read guide →How Does a Restitution Hearing Work?
What happens when amount or causation is disputed.
Read guide →Victim Representation at Parole Hearings
Preparation, participation, and post-conviction victim rights.
Read guide →Restitution vs. a Civil Lawsuit
Two different legal tracks with different purposes and remedies.
Read guide →Related civil remedies
Civil Claims for Crime Victims
When a separate civil action may exist and why liability is fact-specific.
Read guide →Can There Be a Civil Claim Without Criminal Charges?
Why civil and criminal cases have different standards and purposes.
Read guide →Violent Crime and Property-Owner Liability
Duty, foreseeability, notice, control, causation, and damages.
Read guide →Have a hearing or deadline coming up?
If a release hearing, plea, sentencing, restitution issue, parole matter, or other deadline is approaching, include the date and county when you contact us.