Colorado has a detailed Victim Rights Act that provides survivors of sexual assault with specific legal rights. Though primary to criminal proceedings, these rights also impact the compensation available in a civil lawsuit.
At Greer Law, we represent survivors of sexual assault. We file lawsuits for our clients against those responsible for the sexual assault they have survived. We understand the difficulty of suing your attacker and will support you through every step.
What the Colorado Victim Rights Act Provides
The Colorado Victim Rights Act (VRA) establishes in detail the rights that a victim of a crime has during the criminal process. It applies to both sex offenses and a range of other offenses. Some of the rights included in the VRA are:
- The right “to be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity” during the criminal justice process.
- The right to track case progress and be present or heard at key court proceedings.
- The right to track collected medical evidence and object to any proposal by the government to destroy it.
- The right to know if the accused is released from jail—before or after sentencing—or escapes custody.
- The right to confer with prosecutors before any plea deal is finalized or submitted to the court.
The victim is also entitled to restitution from the defendant as part of the criminal process. Since restitution covers only direct out-of-pocket losses, it cannot replace a civil lawsuit against responsible parties. Criminal restitution payments are generally deducted from any final civil lawsuit award for the same assault.
Going Beyond the Colorado Victim Rights Act
While the Victim Rights Act gives survivors a voice and limited restitution, it cannot replace full civil compensation.
- A civil lawsuit can ask for more than just out-of-pocket costs and damages. You can also seek damages for pain, suffering, future medical or mental health care, and potentially punitive damages.
- A civil lawsuit can also be filed against others who may share legal responsibility for the sexual assault, even if they are not charged with a crime for the assault. Depending on circumstances, venue owners, employers, or bystanders may share financial responsibility for the attack. This can be the case even if the authorities never considered prosecuting any of them.
- Finally, civil lawsuits can proceed even if criminal charges are dropped, dismissed, or never filed. The civil burden of proof (“preponderance of evidence”) is much lower than the criminal standard (“beyond reasonable doubt”).
Greer Law is Ready to Bring Your Sexual Assault Civil Claim
At Greer Law, we regularly represent survivors of sexual assault who have decided to sue those responsible for their attack. We know how to build strong cases and will work tirelessly to hold responsible parties accountable.
We understand that deciding to sue your attacker or responsible parties is very difficult. We are here to work with you to help you through the process of deciding whether to sue. We provide clear information and answer your questions so you can decide at your own pace.
If you are thinking about suing someone responsible for sexually assaulting you, contact Greer Law. Tell us about what happened to you, and let us explain what a civil lawsuit will involve. Ask all the questions you want. We are here to help you.
Call Greer Law at 303-331-6460 or reach out to us online.
