Victims Rights

Orange County Victims Rights Attorney

Welcome to the Law Offices of Katie Walsh. We are advocates for victims of violent crimes, educating them about their rights and ensuring that they don’t fall through the cracks.

Did you know that victims have rights? They include the right to be treated with dignity and the right to restitution. Katie Walsh and her team of legal experts empower you with an understanding of these rights while helping you navigate the court process. Services may include:

• Speaking for you in court or at a sentencing hearing.
• Ensuring that the prosecutor listens and has your best interests in mind.
• Filing a restraining order or helping you secure protection from the defendant.
• Helping you take advantage of victim services, such as shelter, counseling, medical care, childcare or financial assistance.

Remember, you are not to blame for a domestic violence situation. If you are a victim of abuse, break the silence today. Victims’ rights attorney Katie Walsh helps you pursue justice while acting as a compassionate advocate and trusted confidante.

I Am a Victim of a Crime. What Happens Now?

If you have been assaulted or abused, the last thing you need is exasperation from a system designed to bring you justice. Ms. Walsh and her team are here for you.

Crime victims have many rights, but getting the full benefit of these rights takes time and energy. Don’t get lost in the justice system. Trust our Orange County victims’ rights attorney to speak on your behalf. Remember that the prosecutor trying your case represents “the people,” as opposed to you as an individual victim. Ms. Walsh understands the criminal justice process and will represent your best interests at every turn of the case. She will:

• Assist you with addressing subpoenas
• Prepare you to testify for court
• Help you speak to the deputy district attorney & the judge
• Speak for you at a sentencing hearing
• Assist with the process of calculating & collecting restitution

Secure your rights today. Katie Walsh and her team use their experience with domestic violence disputes to fight for crime victims. Call our victims’ rights advocates at (714) 351-0178 or submit a confidential online inquiry. There is no downside to scheduling a free consultation with Ms. Walsh and her team—and it may be the best way to see that you are protected during the judicial process.

What Are My Rights as a Victim?

Marsy’s Law—also known as the Victims’ Bill of Rights—was passed by California voters in 2008. Passed in honor of murdered college student Marsy Nicholas, Marsy’s Law amended Article I, Section 28 of the California Constitution to strengthen the rights of crime victims.

The Victims’ Bill of Rights provides crime victims with the right:

(1) To be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse, throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process.

(2) To be reasonably protected from the defendant and persons acting on behalf of the defendant.

(3) To have the safety of the victim and the victim’s family considered in fixing the amount of bail and release conditions for the defendant.

(4) To prevent the disclosure of confidential information or records to the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, which could be used to locate or harass the victim or the victim’s family or which disclose confidential communications made in the course of medical or counseling treatment, or which are otherwise privileged or confidential by law.

(5) To refuse an interview, deposition, or discovery request by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, and to set reasonable conditions on the conduct of any such interview to which the victim consents.

(6) To reasonable notice of and to reasonably confer with the prosecuting agency, upon request, regarding, the arrest of the defendant if known by the prosecutor, the charges filed, the determination whether to extradite the defendant, and, upon request, to be notified of and informed before any pretrial disposition of the case.

(7) To reasonable notice of all public proceedings, including delinquency proceedings, upon request, at which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, and to be present at all such proceedings.

(8) To be heard, upon request, at any proceeding, including any delinquency proceeding, involving a post-arrest release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue.

(9) To a speedy trial and a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post-judgment proceedings.

(10) To provide information to a probation department official conducting a pre-sentence investigation concerning the impact of the offense on the victim and the victim’s family and any sentencing recommendations before the sentencing of the defendant.

(11) To receive, upon request, the pre-sentence report when available to the defendant, except for those portions made confidential by law.

(12) To be informed, upon request, of the conviction, sentence, place and time of incarceration, or other disposition of the defendant, the scheduled release date of the defendant, and the release of or the escape by the defendant from custody.

(13) To restitution.

(14) To the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence.

(15) To be informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender.

(16) To have the safety of the victim, the victim’s family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made.

(17) To be informed of these rights.

Contact Orange County Victim’s Rights Attorney Katie Walsh

Katie Walsh and her team use their experience with the criminal justice system to fight on behalf of victims of crimes. Contact Katie Walsh today by calling (714) 351-0178 or connecting online.