Marsy's Law Attorney Serving Sonoma, Marin, Napa & Mendocino Counties
If you or your loved one has been the victim of a crime, you have rights.
The Victim’s Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy’s Law, provides victims of crimes certain protections, including giving a victim impact statement or the getting paid back (restitution) from the person who committed the crime.
Crimes with victims include: hit and run, DUI, theft, financial abuse, exploitation, elder abuse, graffiti, domestic violence, and many others.
Jenica Leonard Legal helps clients expertly navigate the criminal justice process and can provide assistance in ensuring the victim’s voice is heard.
What is Marcy’s Law?
In 1983, a young woman named Marsy Nicholas was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Just one week later, her mother and brother walked into a grocery store and came face-to-face with the accused killer — with no idea he had been released on bail. No one had told them. At the time, the justice system had no obligation to.
That devastating gap became the foundation for change. Decades later, Marsy's brother, Henry T. Nicholas III, championed a movement to ensure no family would be blindsided that way again. In 2008, California voters passed Proposition 9 — Marsy's Law — enshrining victims' rights directly into the state constitution.
In plain terms: Marsy's Law guarantees crime victims the right to be informed, present, and heard at every critical stage of the criminal justice process — from arrest through sentencing and parole. It gives victims a constitutional voice, not just a courtesy.
Why Experience Matters When You Choose Your Attorney
Understanding Marsy's Law isn't just about knowing victims' rights — it's about knowing how the entire system moves. A defense attorney who is expienced in the criminal justice system and fluent in Marcy’s Law protections brings a sharper, more complete strategy to every case.
At Jenica Leonard Legal, that means:
Proactive advocacy. We anticipate how victims' rights intersect with your defense — so nothing catches you off guard.
Trauma-informed representation. We understand that the people involved in a case — including your own family — deserve to be treated with dignity throughout the process.
Strategic clarity. Knowing the full landscape of rights and protections lets us build a defense that's thorough, not reactive.
Your Rights Under California's Victims' Bill of Rights
Marsy's Law is codified in Article I, Section 28(b) of the California Constitution, and it does far more than offer a courtesy notice — it establishes 17 enumerated rights that victims can actively assert throughout a criminal case.
These include:
The right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect;
The right to reasonable protection from the defendant;
The right to have victim safety weighed in bail and release decisions;
The right to be notified of and present at all court proceedings;
The right to be heard at plea, sentencing, and parole hearings; and
The right to restitution and the prompt return of property.
Victims also have standing to refuse discovery requests, such as depositions, from the defense.
For families and individuals navigating a criminal case — whether as the person facing charges, a loved one, or someone affected by the outcome — these rights shape nearly every stage of the process, from arraignment through parole review.
Knowing they exist is one thing; knowing how to invoke them, and how they interact with a defense strategy, is another. That's where experienced counsel makes the difference between rights that exist on paper and rights that are actually exercised.
How Jenica Leonard Legal Advocates for Crime Victims
At Jenica Leonard Legal, advocacy doesn't stop at knowing the law — it means walking alongside you through every stage of a process that can feel overwhelming, confusing, and isolating.
Jenica brings a fearless, trauma-informed approach to every case, rooted in the belief that strong representation and genuine compassion aren't mutually exclusive — they're most powerful together. Our role is to make sure your rights aren't just acknowledged on paper, but actively protected in the room where decisions are made.
That advocacy is hands-on and specific. It looks like:
Attending hearings on your behalf — so you have a consistent, informed presence at every stage, from arraignment through disposition.
Communicating directly with the District Attorney's office — to ensure your voice, concerns, and safety considerations are part of the conversation.
Protecting your confidential information — handling sensitive details with the discretion and care they deserve throughout the case.
Advocating at bail and parole proceedings — making sure victim safety is meaningfully factored into release conditions and parole decisions, not treated as an afterthought.
Keeping you informed at every step — so you're never left finding out what happened to your case from someone else.
This is what tenacious representation looks like in practice: not just fighting hard, but fighting with you — with clarity, consistency, and respect for what you're carrying.
Speak With a Marsy's Law Attorney IN Northern California
Jenica Leonard Legal proudly serves clients throughout Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Mendocino Counties — bringing the same fearless, trauma-informed advocacy to every community we work in. Whether your case is in Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Napa, or Ukiah, you deserve a legal team that knows the local courts, understands the local landscape, and shows up ready to fight for you.
If you or someone you love needs guidance on your rights under Marsy's Law, don't wait to get answers. Reach out for a consultation, and let's talk through what's ahead — thoroughly, honestly, and at a pace that respects what you're going through.
Call 707.247.5051 to speak with our office, or reach out online to schedule your consultation. For urgent matters, please call directly — we're here for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marsy's Law
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Marsy's Law protects crime victims, defined broadly under the California Constitution as anyone who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm from a crime. This protection extends beyond the person directly harmed to include their spouse, parents, children, siblings, or legal guardian — meaning families are recognized participants in the process, not bystanders to it.
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No — Marsy's Law rights belong to you automatically; you don't need an attorney to have them. That said, having an attorney who understands how to actively assert those rights — communicating with the DA's office, appearing at hearings, and making sure your voice is documented — often makes the difference between a right that exists on paper and one that's genuinely honored in practice.
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Victims have the right to be informed of these protections, and prosecutors' offices have a responsibility to notify you. If that communication breaks down, an attorney can step in to make sure you're looped into hearings, decisions, and notifications you're entitled to — rather than finding out after the fact.
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Yes. Marsy's Law gives victims the right to have their safety considered when bail and release conditions are set, and the right to be heard at sentencing and other critical proceedings. Your input can be shared directly or through legal representation.
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No — Marsy's Law rights are constitutional protections, not services you pay for. There's no fee to invoke them. If you choose to work with an attorney to help assert those rights more effectively, that's a separate, personal decision — not a requirement.