Victim's Representation & Advocacy Services
Understanding Victims' Rights in Colorado
Crime victims in Colorado have specific legal rights protected under both the Colorado Constitution and statutory law. The Victims' Rights Amendment to the Colorado Constitution and the Victim Rights Act establish important protections designed to ensure victims are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity throughout the criminal justice process.
These rights include the right to be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity; to be informed of critical stages in the criminal justice process; to be present at specified criminal proceedings; and to be heard at certain proceedings, including sentencing. You also have the right to consult with the prosecutor before plea agreements or case dismissal, the right to restitution for losses suffered, and the right to a swift resolution of the case. Additional protections include the right to be informed about the status of the offender including release or escape, and the right to protection from intimidation, harassment, or abuse.
While these rights exist in law, navigating the system to ensure they are respected can be challenging. Our attorneys specialize in advocating for crime victims, ensuring these rights are upheld, and providing guidance through what is often a complex and unfamiliar process.
How We Help Crime Victims
Comprehensive Legal Representation
Our representation goes beyond what victim advocates employed by district attorneys' offices or nonprofit organizations can provide. As your personal attorneys, we represent your specific interests throughout the criminal case and in related civil proceedings.
Criminal Case Advocacy
During criminal proceedings against the offender, we serve as your legal voice in court, ensuring prosecutors keep you informed and consulted. We prepare you for testimony and court appearances, assist with Victim Impact Statements, and advocate for appropriate restitution and sentencing. Our team challenges violations of your victims' rights, protects your privacy, prevents unnecessary disclosure of sensitive information, and accompanies you to all proceedings where you have the right to be present. We also help enforce no-contact orders and other protections to ensure your safety.
Civil Remedies and Compensation
Beyond the criminal case, we help victims pursue financial recovery through various channels. This includes assistance with Crime Victim Compensation applications and appeals, civil lawsuits against offenders, and third-party liability claims against entities that may share responsibility. We also handle premises liability cases for inadequate security, insurance claims related to the crime, and provide assistance with medical bills and lost wages recovery to help minimize the financial impact of victimization.
Practical Support and Resources
We connect victims with appropriate resources and provide practical assistance with immediate needs. This includes helping with emergency housing and financial support, medical and mental health referrals, and workplace accommodations. We also assist with safety planning, provide case status updates and explanation of proceedings, facilitate communication with law enforcement and prosecutors, and help with documentation of losses and expenses to support compensation claims.
Long-Term Advocacy
Our commitment to clients extends beyond the immediate aftermath of a crime. We provide representation at parole hearings, notification of offender release or escape, and assistance with permanent protection orders. We also offer support during appeals and post-conviction proceedings, help with record sealing when appropriate, and provide ongoing consultation as your needs evolve throughout the recovery process.
Types of Cases We Handle
Violent Crime Victims
Survivors of violent crimes face unique challenges that often extend far beyond physical injuries. Our team provides specialized representation for victims of assault and battery, sexual assault and abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse. We also represent victims of elder abuse, family members of homicide victims, and those affected by robbery, home invasion, hate crimes, and human trafficking. Each of these situations requires specific legal strategies and sensitivity to trauma.
Property Crime Victims
Though often viewed as less serious than violent crimes, property crimes can cause significant financial hardship and emotional distress. We advocate for victims of theft and burglary, identity theft and fraud, embezzlement, and vandalism. Our team also represents victims of arson, computer crimes, and white-collar crimes, helping them navigate both criminal and civil remedies to recover losses.
Financial Crime Victims
Financial crimes can devastate victims' economic security and often involve complex legal issues. Our attorneys help victims of fraud and scams, elder financial exploitation, investment schemes, and consumer fraud. We also handle cases involving mortgage fraud and insurance fraud, working to recover assets and hold perpetrators accountable through both criminal and civil processes.
Victims of Negligent Security
When crimes occur due to inadequate security measures, property owners may share liability. We represent victims in cases involving apartment complex security failures, hotel/motel security negligence, and attacks in parking garages. Our team also handles cases related to retail establishment security lapses, school and campus security failures, and workplace security issues, helping victims pursue compensation from responsible parties.
The Victims' Rights Process
In the hours and days following a crime, victims face numerous challenges and decisions. During this critical period, we provide emergency legal advice, help preserve evidence, and interface with law enforcement. We explain medical evidence collection procedures, initiate safety measures, and begin documentation of injuries and losses. Our team also advises on communication with insurance companies and helps access emergency financial assistance to address immediate needs.
Criminal Justice System Navigation
As the case progresses through the criminal justice system, we ensure you understand each phase and your rights within it.
During the investigation phase, we help you interact with law enforcement, understand the evidence-gathering process, and prepare for possible outcomes. As charging decisions are made, we advocate for your interests, ensuring prosecutors understand the full impact of the crime and consider appropriate charges.
Throughout pre-trial proceedings, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, and pre-trial motions, we explain developments, prepare you for what to expect, and advocate for your rights to be informed and heard. During plea negotiations, we ensure meaningful consultation occurs as guaranteed by Colorado law, and that your concerns are properly considered before any agreements are finalized.
If the case proceeds to trial, we prepare you for testimony, provide support during court appearances, and help manage media interest when applicable. At sentencing, we help prepare impactful victim impact statements and advocate for appropriate restitution and protective conditions to support your recovery and safety.
After conviction, we represent you at parole hearings, help enforce restitution orders, and provide notification of offender status changes to ensure continued protection of your interests throughout the post-conviction process.
Civil Remedies
Independent of the criminal case, we pursue financial recovery through multiple channels. We help navigate the state Crime Victim Compensation program, which can provide financial assistance for medical expenses, mental health counseling, lost wages, funeral expenses, and other crime-related costs.
When appropriate, we file civil lawsuits against offenders and third parties who may share responsibility for the crime, seeking damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other losses. We also assist with enforcement of restitution orders and pursue all available collection methods to ensure you receive the compensation awarded by the court.
Special Considerations in Victim Representation
Privacy Protection
Crime victims often face unwanted publicity and intrusions into their privacy. We employ various legal strategies to protect confidential information, limit media exposure, and prevent intimidation or harassment throughout the legal process.
Our practice incorporates trauma-informed principles, recognizing how trauma affects memory, decision-making, and engagement with the legal system. We structure our representation to minimize re-traumatization while maximizing effective advocacy, creating a supportive environment that acknowledges the neurobiological impact of trauma.
Cultural Considerations
We recognize that cultural backgrounds influence how people experience victimization, interact with authorities, and seek justice. Our approach respects cultural differences while ensuring all clients receive full protection under the law, with sensitivity to cultural factors that may affect case strategy and communication.
Coordination with Victim Advocates
We work collaboratively with system-based and community-based victim advocates, creating a comprehensive support team that addresses both legal and non-legal needs. This coordinated approach ensures all aspects of recovery are supported while avoiding duplication of services.
Why Choose Our Victim Representation Team
Specialized Knowledge
Our attorneys have specific training and experience in victim law, including detailed knowledge of the Victim Rights Act, crime victim compensation systems, and civil remedies available to crime victims. This specialized expertise allows us to navigate complex intersections of criminal and civil law that affect victim recovery.
Compassionate Representation
We understand the profound impact crime has on victims and their families. Our approach balances empathetic support with strong advocacy, recognizing that compassion and legal effectiveness are equally important in victim representation. We provide a safe, supportive environment while vigorously pursuing justice and compensation.
Independent Advocacy
Unlike system-based advocates who work for government agencies, we represent only your interests. This independence allows us to take positions that may sometimes differ from those of prosecutors or other officials, ensuring your specific needs and perspectives are prioritized throughout the legal process.
Comprehensive Services
Our representation addresses the full spectrum of legal needs crime victims face, from criminal case advocacy to civil litigation to administrative proceedings for benefits and compensation. This holistic approach prevents issues from falling through the cracks and provides seamless support across multiple legal systems.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a crime, contact our victim representation team to learn how we can help protect your rights and pursue justice. We offer confidential consultations and flexible appointment options that respect your needs during this difficult time.
Our commitment is to stand beside you throughout the legal process, ensuring your voice is heard and your interests are protected as you move forward on the path to recovery and justice.
