On November 4, 2008, the People of the State of California approved Proposition 9, the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy’s Law. This measure amended the California Constitution to provide additional rights to victims. This card contains specific sections of the Victims’ Bill of Rights and resources. Crime victims may obtain additional information regarding Marsy’s Law and local Victim Witness Assistance Center information by contacting the Victims of Crime Resource Center at 1-800-Victims or 1-800-842-8467.
The local Orange County WJC Victim Assistance Office number is (714) 896-7171.
A ‘victim’ is defined under the California Constitution as, “a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime or delinquent act. The term ‘victim’ also includes the person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, or guardian, and includes a lawful representative of a crime victim who is deceased, a minor, or physically or psychologically incapacitated. The term “victim” does not include a person in custody for an offense, the accused, or a person whom the court finds would not act in the best interests of a minor victim.” (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28(e).)
Local Resources and Support Groups
Your local Victim Witness Assistance Center can provide advocacy and specific information on local resources, the Victim Compensation Program, and support groups. To obtain information on the Victim Witness Assistance Center nearest to you contact:
Victims of Crime Resource Center
1-800-VICTIMS or 1-800-842-8467
California Statewide and National Resources
The following are some of the resources available to victims and their families. This is not an exhaustive list. The Attorney General offers these references for informational purposes only.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Victim & Survivor Rights & Services
1-877-256-OVSS (6877) www.cdcr.ca.gov/victim_services
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
1-800-524-4765 www.cpedv.org
Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) www.missingkids.com
National Center for Victims of Crime
1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255) www.ncvc.org/national
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) www.ndvh.org
Victim Compensation Program
Help for victims* of:
• Assault
• Drunk Driving
• Sexual Assault
• Child Abuse
• Homicide
• Vehicular Manslaughter
• Domestic Violence
• Robbery
• Human Trafficking
What potentially can the Victim Compensation Program help pay for?
• Medical and dental bills
• Relocation
• Mental health counseling
• Crime scene cleanup
• Funeral costs
• Loss of income
For more information contact your local Victim Witness Assistance Center or Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board
1-800-777-9229 www.victimcompensation.ca.gov
* The definition of victim under the Victim Compensation Program may differ from the definition under the California Constitution.
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Victims’ Bill of Rights
Marsy’s Law
The California Constitution, Article 1, Section 28, confers certain rights to victims of crime as they are defined in the law. Those rights include:
1. Fairness and Respect
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. Protection from the Defendant To be reasonably protected from the defendant and persons acting on behalf of the defendant.
3. Victim Safety Considerations in Setting Bail and Release Conditions
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. The Prevention of the Disclosure of Confidential Information 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. Refusal to be Interviewed by the Defense 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. Conference with the Prosecution and Notice of Pretrial Disposition
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. Notice of and Presence at Public Proceedings
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. Appearance at Court Proceedings and Expression of Views
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. Speedy Trial and Prompt Conclusion of the Case To a speedy trial and a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post-judgment proceedings.
10. Provision of Information to the Probation Department
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. Receipt of Pre-Sentence Report
To receive, upon request, the pre-sentence report when available to the defendant, except for those portions made confidential by law.
12. Information About Conviction, Sentence, Incarceration, Release, and Escape 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. Restitution
A. It is the unequivocal intention of the People of the State of California that all persons who suffer losses as a result of criminal activity shall have the right to seek and secure restitution from the persons convicted of the crimes causing the losses they suffer.
B. Restitution shall be ordered from the convicted wrongdoer in every case, regardless of the sentence or disposition imposed, in which a crime victim suffers a loss.
C. All monetary payments, monies, and property collected from any person who has been ordered to make restitution shall be first applied to pay the amounts ordered as restitution to the victim.
14. The Prompt Return of Property To the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence.
15. Notice of Parole Procedures and Release on Parole 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. Safety of Victim and Public are Factors in Parole Release 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. Information About These 16 Rights
To be informed of the rights enumerated in paragraphs (1) through (16).
For more information on Marsy’s Law, visit the District Attorney’s website. To obtain information on the Victim Witness Assistance Center nearest to you contact your local Victim Witness Center, or Attorney General’s Victim Services Unit at 1-877-433-9069.
