NEW MEXICO CRIME VICTIM ATTORNEYS

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affect all indirectly.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Being the victim of a crime can cause numerous harms, including physical, emotional and financial.

Compassionate, experienced, and trauma-informed legal assistance is essential for crime victims who suffered traumatic and serious injuries as a result of criminal acts. Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C., is locally and nationally recognized for being experts in representing crime victims. We are ready to listen to you and ready to stand up to your perpetrator. Our team will proudly support you through the criminal process and then prepare a comprehensive legal plan to help you pursue and recover against the perpetrator and any other persons in power who enabled the perpetrator to cause harm.

Crimes Continue to Impact Victims

Many people forget the personal toll criminal wrongdoing can have on the victims. For example, a person injured in a drunk driving accident may experience lifelong physical effects, including brain injuries or problems with movement. Other types of crimes cause both a physical and emotional impact. This is usually the case with rape and sexual assault, which can impact a person mentally for many years after the incident has occurred.

Crimes against children are especially heinous. Abused children continue to feel the effects well into adulthood. Many people can develop substance abuse issues after childhood abuse or experience chronic mental health effects. Violent crimes can cause immense physical injuries and psychological problems.

We Have Experience With Many Types of Crimes

When seeking a civil remedy for criminal wrongdoing, you must choose a firm with experience. You must also choose a firm that has sympathy for the victims of violent crimes, which is precisely what our attorneys at Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C. offer clients. Our law firm is a member of The National Crime Victim Bar Association. We are committed to helping crime victims seek justice and restore their sense of power.

We are a fierce advocate for protecting child victims of crime. Our firm has been advocating on behalf of children for over 25 years and we take pride in our specialized approach to these difficult cases.

Crime Victims’ Rights in New Mexico

Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C., fights for crime victims in New Mexico to hold criminals and the organizations who supported them accountable. We fight to uphold victims’ rights, which includes making sure our clients are treated with dignity throughout criminal and civil cases, as well as working tirelessly to ensure our clients achieve justice.

If you are victim to a crime, you have the following rights under New Mexico law:

• To dignified and respectful treatment;
• To a reasonable expectation that you’ll be kept safe from your assailant;
• To attend court hearings involving the person accused of the crime;
• To provide a statement during sentencing or when sentencing changes; and
• To seek restitution to make up for any losses experienced as a result of the

Difference Between Criminal Law Versus Civil Law

The state or the federal government brings criminal cases against the accused perpetrator. Criminal charges are brought against the accused, which vary from felony to misdemeanors. The prosecutor represents the State of New Mexico or the federal government, while the accused is represented by either a public defender or a private attorney. The victim of a crime is

unfortunately often left unrepresented through this process, which makes the aftermath of a crime all that much more stressful and overwhelming to the victim.

Civil law deals with compensating an individual for injuries suffered by another private party or a business, government office, or agency. Civil cases do not result in prison sentences, but rather awards for medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and possibly compensation for violations of civil rights if the offender is a state or federal actor. Civil cases can also result in punitive damages, which are awarded to the victim to deter the private party or a business, government office, or agency from any further reckless or willful conduct that harms another victim.

How We Can Help You Heal in the Aftermath

While the criminal justice system assists in prosecuting crimes and convicting criminals to prison sentences, they often leave the survivors without adequate relief or full involvement in the criminal process. Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C., has a wealth of experience representing crime victims in both the criminal and civil arena. We are known locally and nationally for having the expertise to support our clients through the criminal process and then help them pursue civil claims to recover compensatory damages against criminals and the organizations who supported them in committing crimes.

Our promise is to provide compassionate, trauma-informed legal representation. This means we will actively take steps to reduce any trauma the criminal and civil justice system may cause you. We accomplish this goal by helping you coordinate a support system to help you regain your sense of power and control.

If you want to discuss your rights as a victim of crime, contact Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, P.C. today. Call (505) 806-1780 to schedule a free consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. You can also contact us for more information about the legal services we offer.