If anyone is injured, assess their condition as best you can so the 911 operator will know what level of response is required. If firearms were involved, let the operator know. If the suspect fled the scene, tell the operator as much as you know about how they left and where they went.
You can find non-emergency contact information for all police and sheriff’s departments in California by visiting https://www. usacops. com/ca/. Provide the officer with as many details as you can recall from the incident. Even if you think something is unimportant, it may be a commonality between your incident and another reported to police.
For example, if you arrive to open the store where you work one morning and discover it was vandalized overnight, that is the kind of crime you could report online. When you file a report online, you get a report number instantly and can print a copy of the report for your records. This can be convenient if you need to file an insurance claim.
Keep your copy of the police report. You will need the report number and the name of the officer who took it if you have any information you want to add later on.
Make sure you have the number of the original report so your information will be filed properly. You can also contact the police department to check in on the status of any investigation, but try to keep such calls to a minimum. If the police decide to investigate the case based on your report, or if there are any significant events (such as an arrest made), they will call you.
To get an emergency protective order, call your local police department and tell them you need an emergency protective order. They will take information from you about you, your family, and the person threatening you, and issue the order. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, call the police department’s non-emergency number.
A domestic violence restraining order is available to you if the person is a member of your family, or if you are or were romantically involved with the person. To get a domestic violence restraining order, go to the clerk’s office in the nearest county court and tell the clerk you want the paperwork for a domestic violence restraining order. Fill out and return the paperwork, then speak to a judge. When you file your paperwork, the judge issues a temporary restraining order. To make it permanent, you must have the person you want restrained served and then appear in court for a hearing.
Just as with domestic violence restraining orders, you complete and file paperwork at the clerk’s office of the county court nearest you. The judge issues a temporary restraining order that will last until the date of your hearing. You must serve the person you want restrained so they have the opportunity to appear in court and explain their actions.
Criminal protective orders are available to anyone who was the victim of a crime and fears that the person who committed the crime will come after them again. You’re eligible for a criminal protective order even if you already have a civil restraining order against the person. It isn’t uncommon for people to have multiple protective orders against one person. If you do already have a civil restraining order, tell the district attorney about it.
Because the burden of proof is lower in civil cases than in criminal cases, it is possible to win a civil case against the person despite the fact that they weren’t convicted of criminal charges.
Look for a personal injury attorney who specializes in representing crime victims. Most of these attorneys give free initial consultations, so you can interview several until you find someone you feel comfortable with. The National Crime Victim Bar Association offers free referrals to crime victims who want to hire an attorney and file a civil lawsuit. Call 202-467-8716 to use the attorney referral program.
Your attorney will draft your complaint after consultation with you. Once it’s filed, it will be served on the defendant, who has a limited period of time to respond. If the defendant misses the deadline to respond, you may be eligible to win your lawsuit by default – but don’t count on that happening.
You may also visit the scene of the crime, or compile other evidence taken during or immediately after the incident, such as photos or security camera footage.
If the defendant offers you a settlement, your attorney will discuss it with you and give you advice on whether you should accept it. Talk it over carefully with your attorney and ask them any questions you have. The decision whether to accept or reject the defendant’s settlement offer is yours alone. Your attorney must go along with your decision, even if they disagree with it.
If the trial ends with a judgment in your favor, you still have to enforce that judgment. Understand that even if you win, you may never see a penny from the defendant. On the other hand, if the judge rules in favor of the defendant, you do have the right to appeal. Discuss this option with your attorney.
