Exploring Your Rights and Options as the Victim of a Crime in Wisconsin

 Posted on October 15, 2018 in Victimology

As one might expect, being a victim of a crime--especially a violent crime--can be very challenging and confusing. There is no such thing as a victimless crime, and you may be wondering why it has happened to you. You could be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or you could be trying to recover lost property. Whatever the crime was that was committed against you, it is important to know that as a victim, you have rights, and you have options about which steps to take next. If you have been a victim of a crime, consider taking steps to gain justice and/or compensation.  

Seeking Remedies From the Courts

The aftermath of a crime can be a scary and traumatic time for a victim. Fortunately, there are actions that you can take to bring your offender to justice and protect yourself, including:

• Criminal Court: One of your options is to proceed with a criminal case by reporting the crime to a law enforcement officer who will investigate, perform an arrest, and press charges, if necessary. In criminal cases, the victim’s main role is as a witness for the prosecution. A criminal case is meant to determine the guilt or innocence of a person, and a prosecutor’s main goal is to represent the state, not the victim. In some cases, a person convicted of a crime may be required to pay restitution that addresses the financial losses they have caused to their victims.
• Civil Court: In a civil case, the main objective is not to identify the guilt or innocence of a person, but whether or not they are liable for injuries or damages caused to the victim because of the crime. If a court finds the offender liable for the victim’s damages, they are not sent to jail but are required to pay monetary compensation to the victim or their family. Civil lawsuits force the offender to be held liable to their victim rather being prosecuted for their crimes against the state.
• Orders of Protection: If you are the victims of domestic violence or stalking, you have the option of filing an order of protection, which can help keep you safe. An order of protection (commonly known as a restraining order) can prohibit a person from going anywhere you, your home, where you work, your school, or other places that you usually go. If the person violates the order of protection, they will be subject to criminal punishment.

Are You a Victim of a Crime? A Delafield Attorney for Victims’ Rights Can Help

Every crime victim has the right to seek compensation from an offender who caused them to suffer. Though it cannot change what happened, taking action against your offender can not only empower you, but it may also help you recover some damages that will address the harm done to you. If you have been a victim of a crime and would like to talk about pursuing damages, you should contact a Waukesha County victims’ rights lawyer. At the Bucher Law Group, LLC, we know that talking about the crime that happened to you can be difficult, but our compassionate attorneys will fight to protect your rights and help you receive the compensation you deserve. To set up a free consultation, call our office at 262-303-4916.

Sources:

https://victimsofcrime.org/docs/Public%20Folders/Civil%20Justice%20-%20FINAL%20(non-book).pdf?sfvrsn=0

http://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/get-help-bulletins-for-crime-victims/options-for-victims