Victim's Rights

If you have been a victim of a crime, you are entitled to “victim's rights” by the State of California.

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 Attorney General Victim Services Unit at 1-877-433-9069.

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, nonprofit victim’s rights groups and support groups.

Attorney General’s Victim Services Unit
www.ag.ca.gov/victimservices
1-877-433-9069

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
  • Rape, Abuse, Incest, National Network 1-800-656-HOPE, www.rainn.org/
  • California Partnership to End Domestic Violence 1-800-524-4765 www.cpedv.org
  • Victims of Crime Resource Center, Pacific/McGeorge School of Law, 1-800-842-8467, 1-800-victims www.1800victims.org
  • 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
Help for victims* of:
*The definition of victim under the Victim Compensation Program may differ from the definition under the California Constitution.
  • Assault
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • Drunk Driving
  • Homicide
  • Human Trafficking
  • Robbery
  • Sexual Assault
  • Vehicular Manslaughter
What potentially can the Victim Compensation Program help pay for?
  • Medical and dental bills
  • Mental Health Counseling
  • Funeral costs
  • Relocation
  • Crime scene cleanup
  • Loss of income
For more information contact your local Victim Witness Assistance Center or: