Sexual Assault
ATTORNEYS
The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani:
Los Angeles based personal injury attorneys serving all of California
Sexual assault can encompass any form of non-consensual sexual activity. If you or another person has experienced sexual assault, the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani can help. Our sexual assault attorneys are standing by to provide compassionate and supportive legal guidance for survivors.
What Should I Do Immediately After a Sexual Assault?
Your safety and well-being are the priority. If you experience a sexual assault or similarly distressing situation, move to a safe location away from the attacker. If you’re in immediate danger, call emergency services.
In some cases, people may not seek assistance from police or emergency services because of trauma, feelings of shame, concern for privacy, or other barriers to support. Some people may also feel that calling emergency services when they’re in immediate danger may antagonize their attacker and escalate the risk of the situation.
It’s important to seek support for your safety as soon as possible. Contacting law enforcement and medical services allows you to get support, even if you don’t feel physically injured. These professionals can provide necessary treatment and collect evidence to strengthen your case, such as photos of injuries and your account of the attack.
While it’s never too late, taking these steps immediately after your assault may also support your well-being and your court case:
- File a police report of the assault
- Contact a trusted friend, family member, or other support
- Reach out to a support organization or professionals that can provide resources tailored to the needs of assault survivors
- Consult an attorney — speaking with a lawyer helps guide the process of seeking justice or restitution
How Long Do I Have to File a Sexual Assault Claim?
Many states have statutes of limitations that determine how long you have to file civil or criminal claims. While some statutes of limitations for sexual assault are as short as two years, most states have gradually extended time limits for sexual assault and other sex-related crimes to provide disenfranchised victims with additional time. Most states don’t impose a statute of limitations for cases involving abuse or assault of a minor or exceptionally damaging sexual assault incidents.
In California, the statute of limitations for civil or criminal cases of sexual assault is: “Within 22 years of the date the victim reaches the age of majority or within five years the victim discovers or reasonably should have discovered the psychological injury or illness occurring after the age of majority was caused by sexual abuse, whichever occurs later.”
An attorney can provide specific guidance based on your case and jurisdiction’s legislature. Delaying may affect your ability to pursue restitution.
Can a Sexual Assault Attorney Help Me Pursue Both Civil and Criminal Cases?
Victims of sexual assault may take legal action against the assailant through the criminal legal system, civil legal system, or both. An attorney from Jacob Emrani’s expert team can help you pursue both civil and criminal sexual assault cases.
A criminal case involves prosecuting the offender on the state’s behalf. Your attorney will help you navigate the legal system and provide support during police interviews, court appearances, and other parts of the process. The primary role of the victim in criminal cases is as a witness to the crime, and the main purpose of a criminal case is to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant for the particular crime. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, at which time the prosecution determines the appropriate outcome, such as incarceration, probation, or fines.
In a civil case, a lawsuit allows victims to seek financial compensation for damages related to sexual assault. This type of tort case addresses wrongful acts or behaviors committed by one person that directly harm, injure, or otherwise cause losses or damages for another person. The outcome of a civil case is based on the defendant’s liability for damages, and the remedy is monetary — it doesn’t punish the assailant (defendant) with jail time.
Whether you pursue one of these case types or both, they come with various nuances and complicated processes. Having a sexual assault attorney represent you may provide different options and outcomes for justice.
What Evidence Is Needed to Build a Strong Sexual Assault Case?
Building a strong sexual assault case requires meticulous evidence collection. In a civil case, the evidence must demonstrate that the defendant more likely than not committed the sexual assault.
Each case is unique and may require varying types of evidence. Common types of evidence include:
- Victim testimony: The victim’s testimony is an essential form of evidence. They may recount the details of the assault, its circumstances, and the resulting emotional and physical consequences.
- Witness testimony: If witnesses were present during the assault or observed the victim’s resulting distress, the assault’s aftermath, or other interactions between the victim and the accused, they may testify to support your claims.
- Medical records: Documentation of physical injuries or medical treatment may correlate with and support your testimony of the assault. Medical professionals, such as those who conducted a sexual assault examination or treated the victim for persisting conditions, may also testify to the significance and relation of injuries.
- Digital evidence: Photos, videos, audio recordings, social media interactions, or other digital communications or media may serve as valuable evidence.
- Forensic evidence: Forensic evidence, such as DNA collected from clothes, medical exams, or the crime scene, can strengthen your case.
- Expert testimony: Expert witnesses, such as psychologists or similar professionals, may provide insight into the impact of the sexual assault.
Can I File a Sexual Assault Claim Anonymously?
Maintaining anonymity in a sexual assault claim is possible but varies depending on the circumstances. If you report the incident to law enforcement, they may keep your personal information confidential under limited circumstances, such as increased risk or vulnerability for the filing party.
In either a criminal or civil case, your name may at least need to be released to the liable party, their attorneys, and the court, but you may be allowed a pseudonym for public purposes. Your lawyer can also seek a confidentiality agreement, in which involved parties may not disclose details of the case to anyone not involved.
Call Jacob Emrani for Legal Support
At the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani in Los Angeles, you can rely on our team of compassionate and experienced sexual assault attorneys to handle your case with sensitivity and care.
Call the firm today to set up your no-cost consultation!
Find out how much your case is worth
EXPLORE OUR
PRACTICE AREAS
Find Out How Much Your Case is Worth?
Contact the Law
Offices of
Jacob Emrani
In many instances, personal injury cases are about much more than just taking care of your medical costs.
While the often overwhelming costs of receiving medical care and treatment that could be ongoing, long-term or even permanent for your physical injuries are certainly a part of cases like these, your Los Angeles personal injury attorney can also assist you in seeking compensation for injuries that extend to emotional hardship, damage to your personal property and financial coverage.
If you would like to discuss your own personal injury case with a passionate, knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles, we invite you to contact the Law Offices of Jacob Emrani today to schedule a free evaluation of your case. If it is more convenient, one of our dedicated team members can come directly to you.