According to the Seattle Police Department, there has been a record-breaking high of 49,577 violent and property crimes in the year 2022. If you were a victim of a violent crime, you should know your rights so you can see how these will protect you when you are ready to press criminal charges.
What are your rights as a victim of crime?
Victims are afraid to put a face to the crime for fear that they will suffer more damages by just being in the public eye. Your fear is not irrational, especially if the accused has yet to face conviction. As a victim, the Crime Victims’ Rights Act (CVRA) entitles you to these rights:
- You have the right to reasonable protection from the accused person
- You have the right to be well-informed of any public court proceeding or parole proceeding concerning the crime or the release of the accused
- You have the right against exclusion from public court proceedings concerning the crime
- You have the right to testify at any public court proceeding or parole proceeding
- You have the right to your privacy
- You have the right to be treated with dignity
- You have the right to any and all information concerning your case or the accused before and after the accused was sentenced
If you do not know your rights, someone can take advantage of you during the court proceedings.
You have a right to fight
You can pursue civil litigation and seek compensation for the damages you suffered. However, it is possible that the perpetrator in your case may not have enough resources to make the case worth pursuing. Yet it is equally possible that, the crime could have been preventable if other parties had been less negligent. This is a complex matter.
An attorney with experience in crime victim litigation will know how best to approach your case. One of your most precious rights is the right to stand up in court and fight for the justice you deserve.
