Crime Victim Civil Representation Attorney in Manhattan Beach, CA
Separate from its criminal defense practice, the firm also represents crime victims and their families in civil claims for compensation. A victim of a crime has the right to bring a civil lawsuit against the person who harmed them — and, where applicable, against a negligent property owner or business — regardless of whether a criminal case is ever filed, and regardless of its outcome. Civil and criminal cases are entirely separate legal processes with different standards of proof.
Key Points
- A civil claim can proceed independently of a criminal case — even if criminal charges are never filed, reduced, or result in an acquittal, a separate civil claim for damages can still succeed, because civil cases use a lower "preponderance of the evidence" standard rather than the criminal "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard
- Claims can include direct claims against a perpetrator, and separately, premises liability claims against a property owner or business (a hotel, bar, apartment complex, parking garage, gas station) that failed to provide reasonably adequate security
- Recoverable damages can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and in appropriate cases, punitive damages
- This practice covers sexual assault, child abuse, institutional abuse, assaults connected to inadequate security, and similar harms
Considerations
- Civil claims have their own statutes of limitations, separate from any criminal case timeline — these deadlines should be confirmed early rather than assumed to track the criminal case
- A civil case can proceed at the same time as a related criminal case, though the two are sometimes coordinated strategically (for example, around the timing of depositions)
- Even when a perpetrator has no meaningful personal assets, a premises liability claim against a negligent property owner or business can be a separate, financially meaningful avenue
California & Federal Law Note
California generally applies a "preponderance of the evidence" standard in civil cases — meaning a claim must be shown to be more likely true than not — compared to the much higher "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard required for a criminal conviction, which is why a civil claim can succeed even when a criminal case does not result in a conviction.
Related Questions
What happens during a free consultation?
We’ll discuss the facts of your situation — what you’ve been charged with or are being investigated for, where the case currently stands, and what evidence exists so far. We’ll explain the realistic range of outcomes and what a defense strategy might look like. Consultations are confidential, and there’s no obligation to retain the firm afterward.
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