Victim Representation

Whenever someone is listed as a victim of a crime, they are entitled to certain enumerated rights under the Colorado Victims Rights Act. Crime victims are such an important part of the criminal justice process that Colorado voters amended the state Constitution to include Victim Rights in 1992.

About the Victim Rights Amendment

“Any person who is a victim of a criminal act or such person’s designee, legal guardian, or surviving immediate family members if such person is deceased, shall have the right to be heard when relevant, informed and present at all critical stages of the criminal justice process.”

Article II, Section l6A Colorado State Constitution.

When a person becomes a VRA victim in a criminal case and while the crime is being investigated by law enforcement, they might have contact with a victim advocate assigned to the case from the law enforcement agency. Then, once a criminal case is actually filed, they will have a victim advocate assigned to their case through the District Attorney’s Office. They may have a member of the District Attorney’s Office reach out from the restitution department if they suffered a financial loss as a result of the crime, or if they suffered medical or mental health injuries as a result of the crime that might entitle them to either restitution or Crime Victims’ Compensation. They may be given resources in the community for community based victim services, such as advocates through organizations like SAVA (Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center) or Crossroads Safehouse.

Get the Support and Representation You Deserve

While it is wonderful that there are so many services in place designed to help victims of crime in our community, sometimes it can be overwhelming to a victim who has gone through a serious trauma to be contacted by so many different people with varying roles in the criminal justice system and that can make victims feel unheard, overlooked, or disregarded in the process that is so often focused on protecting the constitutional rights of the criminal defendants.

Erica Kasemodel is particularly qualified to represent victims in situations like this given her extensive background in criminal prosecution and years of work with victims of crimes spanning from petty offenses all the way through sexual assaults, serious physical assaults, stalking, domestic violence, and first degree murder cases. ELK Law offers victims of crime representation throughout the process of going through the criminal justice system, to include any of the following:

Our Victim Representation Services

ELK Law offers victims of crime representation throughout the process of going through the criminal justice system, to include any of the following:

Contact with your Victim Rights Advocate

Contact with the District Attorney’s Office for VRA notifications about the criminal case.

Civil Protection orders

Filing and litigating any civil protection orders necessary (link to civil protection order section).

Learn more about Civil Protection Orders

a Safe Place

Connecting victims with services to ensure they are able to physically get away from their abuser and find a safe way to move forward including potential relocation options.