Understanding California’s Rape Shield Law for Victims of Sexual Assault
In some cases, your sexual history may be introduced at trial. If you are a victim of sexual assault, then you know firsthand how difficult it can be to achieve justice. According to statistics from the Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN), the vast majority of...What Rights Do California Crime Victims Have Post-Conviction?
You have a right to notice, to be heard, and to restitution, among other rights. If you have been a victim of crime in California, your most immediate concerns may be with the immediate future. Will the perpetrator be arrested? Will you have to testify at trial? Will...Who Qualifies as a Victim Under California’s Victims’ Rights Law?
Marsy’s Law defines who is considered a victim. In 2008, Californians approved Marsy’s Law, guaranteeing constitutional rights to crime victims and their families. Under the Crime Victims Bill of Rights, victims of crime were entitled to: Be treated with fairness and...How Will COVID-19 Affect Victims’ Rights in California Criminal Cases?
The coronavirus has changed how the criminal courts operate. The coronavirus has affected Californians in a range of ways. Since Governor Newsom issued a shelter-in-place order, non-essential businesses have largely closed — and others are allowing their employees to...Can a Defendant Cross Examine A Victim in a California Criminal Trial?
Defendants’ right to represent themselves does not extend to the right to abuse witnesses during cross-examination. Under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, defendants in criminal trials have a right to act as their own attorney (often referred to as...
Michael L. Fell can assist victims of all types of serious crimes.
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