Marsy's Law Rights in Los Angeles County: Enforceable Protections for Crime Victims

If you are a crime victim in Los Angeles County — whether you're dealing with domestic violence, stalking, assault, or sexual assault — California law gives you constitutional protections that the courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement are required to honor. Marsy's Law (California Constitution, Article I, Section 28) established 17 enforceable rights for crime victims in 2008. In Los Angeles County, those rights apply to every stage of your case.

Many victims don't know they have these rights. Many who do know find them violated — by courts that hold proceedings without notifying them, by prosecutors who cut plea deals without consulting them, by defense attorneys who contact them directly despite the prohibition. This guide explains exactly what Marsy's Law guarantees in LA County, how to enforce it, and how to file for protection simultaneously.

Your Marsy's Law Rights in Los Angeles County

Marsy's Law is not a suggestion — it's part of the California Constitution. Courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement in Los Angeles County are legally required to uphold your rights. You can enforce them.

The 17 Constitutional Rights Under Marsy's Law

Every crime victim in Los Angeles County has the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect — Throughout the criminal justice process.
• Be informed — Of all public court proceedings, the defendant's release status, and case outcomes.
• Be present — At every public court proceeding in your case. You cannot be excluded.
• Be heard — At bail hearings, sentencing, parole hearings, and any hearing where the prosecution and defense negotiate a plea agreement.
• Refuse defense contact — The defendant's attorney or investigator cannot contact you without your written consent. This is absolute.
• Restitution — The court must order the defendant to pay for all your losses: medical bills, therapy, lost wages, property damage, funeral costs.
• Privacy — Your personal information must be kept confidential by the court, the DA's office, and law enforcement.
• Protection — Reasonable protection from the defendant and their associates. You can request protective measures.
• Speedy trial — Your case should not be unreasonably delayed.
• Fairness — Your rights must be protected throughout the entire criminal justice process.

Los Angeles County's District Attorney's Office has a Victim Services Unit specifically to help you exercise these rights. Their contact: (213) 257-2000.

Marsy's Law Violations in Los Angeles County: What to Watch For

Marsy's Law violations happen regularly in LA's crowded courtrooms. Here are the most common ways your rights are violated — and what to do about each.

Violation 1: Court Proceedings Without Your Notification

The court is required to notify you of every public proceeding. If the court schedules a hearing and you weren't informed — particularly a bail hearing, plea hearing, or sentencing — your Marsy's Law rights were violated.

What to do:

1. Contact the DA's Victim Services Unit immediately at (213) 257-2000.
2. Ask them to file a formal objection to any proceeding that occurred without your notification.
3. If the court has already ruled, ask your victim rights attorney whether you can challenge the outcome. In some cases, Marsy's Law violations can be raised on appeal.

Violation 2: Plea Agreements Made Without Your Input

Before any plea agreement is finalized, the prosecutor is required to confer with you about whether you object to the proposed deal. If the DA offered a plea reduction or dismissal without consulting you, that's a Marsy's Law violation.

What to do:

1. Contact the Victim Services Unit and document the violation in writing.
2. Request that the DA object to the plea on your behalf — or, if the DA won't act, seek a Marsy's Law enforcement motion through a victim rights attorney.
3. Under Marsy's Law, your right to be heard at plea agreements means the court must give you the opportunity to object before accepting a deal. If that didn't happen, you may have grounds to challenge the plea.

Violation 3: Defense Attorney Contacting You

If the defendant's defense attorney or their investigator contacts you directly — by phone, email, mail, or in person — they are violating Marsy's Law. You have the absolute right to refuse such contact. They cannot request an interview, ask for records, or pressure you in any way.

What to do:

1. Do not speak with them. You are not obligated to cooperate.
2. Write down the date, time, method, and content of the contact.
3. Report it to the DA's office immediately — this is a violation of both Marsy's Law and your constitutional rights.
4. If the contact is aggressive or threatening, contact LAPD or the DA's witness intimidation unit.

Violation 4: Restitution Not Ordered or Not Paid

The court must order the defendant to pay full restitution for all losses you suffered as a result of the crime — medical costs, lost wages, counseling, property damage. If the court didn't order restitution, or if the defendant hasn't paid and the DA isn't enforcing it, your rights were violated.

What to do:

1. Contact the DA's restitution unit at (213) 257-2000 and request enforcement of the restitution order.
2. If no restitution was ordered, work with the Victim Services Unit to file a motion to amend the sentence.
3. File a California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) claim at 1-800-777-9229 or victims.ca.gov. CalVCB can reimburse you directly for out-of-pocket expenses regardless of whether the defendant pays.

Filing a Restraining Order in Los Angeles County

If you're a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment in Los Angeles County, a restraining order provides immediate legal protection while your criminal case progresses — or even if no criminal case is filed. California courts issue them at no cost. You do not need an attorney to get started.

Emergency Protective Order (EPO)

If you're in immediate danger, call 911. LAPD officers and LA County Sheriff deputies can request an Emergency Protective Order from an on-call judge by phone — available 24/7. An EPO goes into effect immediately and lasts up to 7 days. It can order the abuser to leave, grant you temporary custody, and prohibit all contact. File for a TRO before the EPO expires to maintain protection.

Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and Permanent DVRO

File form DV-100 at your nearest LA County Superior Court courthouse. There's no filing fee for DVROs in California. Every major LA courthouse has a Self-Help Center — free form review before you file.

Key LA courthouses for DVRO filings:

• Stanley Mosk Courthouse (Central): 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles — highest volume in the county
• Van Nuys Courthouse (Northwest): 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys — San Fernando Valley
• Long Beach Courthouse (South): 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach
• Pomona Courthouse (East): 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona
• Norwalk Courthouse (Southeast): 12720 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk

At the hearing — typically 20-25 days after filing — present your evidence and testimony. If granted, the permanent DVRO can last up to 5 years and is renewable.

Criminal Protective Order

If the DA has filed criminal charges against your abuser, request a criminal protective order as a condition of their bail or release. This is separate from a civil DVRO — pursue both simultaneously. Contact the DA's Victim Services Unit at (213) 257-2000 to request one.

Free Legal Help in Los Angeles County

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) — Free DV representation. Call 800-399-4529.
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services — Free restraining order assistance. Call 323-939-0506.
• Neighborhood Legal Services of LA County — San Fernando Valley and northeast LA. Call 818-896-5211.
• Inner City Law Center — DV and housing legal services. Call 213-627-6300.
• Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) — Services for Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Call 213-977-7500.
• Jewish Family Service of LA — DV services for the Jewish community. Call 323-761-9800.
• LA County DA Victim Services Unit — Marsy's Law enforcement, case notifications. Call 213-257-2000.
• California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) — Reimbursement for crime-related losses. Call 1-800-777-9229.

Browse our Los Angeles County attorney directory for DV attorneys who serve every LA community. You can also use our free intake tool to prepare your DV-100 forms in under 10 minutes.

LA County-Specific Considerations

Immigrant and Undocumented Survivors

Los Angeles has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country. You do not need a Social Security number or legal status to file for a restraining order. Courts will not ask about your immigration status. Under VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), immigrant survivors may qualify for U-visas and other protections regardless of how they entered the country. Legal Aid Foundation of LA (LAFLA) and Bet Tzedek both have bilingual staff and experience with immigrant DV survivors.

LGBTQ+ Survivors

Domestic violence in LGBTQ+ relationships is underreported and often involves additional barriers. The Los Angeles LGBT Center (323-993-7400) provides legal services, counseling, and victim advocacy specifically for LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence. The LA County DA's office has a dedicated Hate Crimes Unit that handles crimes targeting LGBTQ+ individuals.

Gang-Related and Serious Violence Victims

Victims of gang-related violence or serious assault in LA County have access to the DA's Hardcore Division and the LA County Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) system. CalVCB covers funeral costs and relocation expenses for victims of violent crime. Contact the DA's Victim Services Unit for case-specific guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Marsy's Law apply to all crime victims in Los Angeles County?

Yes. Marsy's Law (California Constitution, Article I, Section 28) applies to all crime victims — not just domestic violence cases. Whether you're a victim of assault, stalking, sexual assault, robbery, vehicular homicide, or any other violent crime, you have Marsy's Law rights in LA County.

How do I report a Marsy's Law violation in LA County?

First, contact the DA's Victim Services Unit at (213) 257-2000. They can file objections on your behalf and raise violations with the court. If the DA's office is unresponsive, a Marsy's Law attorney can file a civil enforcement motion. Keep documentation of every violation — dates, times, what happened.

Can I get a restraining order without a criminal case?

Yes. A civil domestic violence restraining order (DVRO) is entirely separate from criminal proceedings. You can file for a DVRO even if the DA declines to press criminal charges. The civil standard (abuse as defined by Family Code § 6200) may be easier to meet in some cases than the criminal standard.

Can the defendant's attorney contact me directly?

No. Under Marsy's Law, the defendant's defense attorney or their investigator cannot contact you without your written consent. If this happens, document it immediately and report it to the DA's office at (213) 257-2000.

What if the court held a proceeding I didn't know about?

Contact the DA's Victim Services Unit immediately. Depending on what happened at the proceeding, there may be grounds to challenge the outcome. Marsy's Law requires the court to notify victims of all public proceedings — excluding you violates your constitutional rights.

If You're in Immediate Danger

If you're in danger right now:

• National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY: 1-800-787-3224)
• LA County Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-979-9799
• Emergency: 911

Your Marsy's Law rights exist to protect you — but safety comes first. Get to a safe place, then use the tools in this guide.