Crime Victim Family Representation

Being the victim of crime is a traumatic experience. You can retain a victim representation lawyer to help you avoid experiencing violence and harassment in the future. You may not know where to turn after being abused, but remember that you never have to accept physical or psychological abuse from anyone. However, experiencing abuse at the hands of those who are supposed to love and care for us can make it difficult for us to reach for help. 

How a Victim Representation Lawyer Can Help You 

Domestic abuse victims often do not understand how a victim representation lawyer can help them. A prosecutor will focus on one aspect of the matter, but a victim representation lawyer will help a victim recover damages while protecting any children affected by the proceedings. 

Criminal law and civil law are separate areas of law in anglo-american jurisprudence. A prosecutor represents the state and brings cases against individual defendants accused of criminal offenses. However, civil law is an area of law in which the individual who suffered harm brings a civil lawsuit against a defendant who was responsible for causing the victim’s harm. Recovering damages is an aspect of a civil lawsuit, not a criminal case. 

Domestic Violence Lawsuits 

Some victims may be married to the person who psychologically and physically abused them. A victim representation lawyer can assist victims with the technical aspects of divorce proceedings. If a victim is seeking custody of their children, then a victim representation lawyer can help the victim establish that the abuser is likely to physically and psychologically harm the children. 

Those who are abused at home often experience lost earnings and pain and suffering. Also, many victims have medical bills that can lead to financial insecurity and even bankruptcy. Even if a criminal defendant is convicted, this will not mean that the victim recovers damages. The victim must file a civil lawsuit against the defendant to seek financial compensation for their injuries. 

The Types of Damages in Civil Cases 

Damages in civil lawsuits are typically divided into economic damages and non-economic damages. The following are examples of economic damages: 

  • Medical bills 
  • Lost wages 
  • Lost future earnings 
  • Vocational rehabilitation 
  • Household services 

The following are examples of non-economic damages: 

  • Loss of enjoyment of life 
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Mental trauma 
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement 

You can seek monetary compensation for your injuries. Speaking with a victim representation lawyer can help you understand how to pursue an order of protection to ensure your own safety and that of your children. 

The majority of civil lawsuits do not go to trial. Although many civil lawsuits are resolved through settlement agreements, other cases are resolved through alternative dispute resolution. Some methods of alternative dispute resolution include the following: 

  • Settlement conferences 
  • Neutral evaluation 
  • Arbitration 
  • Mediation 

Essentially, alternative dispute resolution is any method agreed to by the parties in which they use a neutral third-party to help them resolve a dispute without resorting to litigation. Alternative dispute resolution can help the parties reach a voluntary agreement rather than have a judge decide the case