Legal Representation
Do you need help?
At OCVLC, we realize how overwhelming it can be to seek help if you have been the victim of a crime. Our goal is to ensure victims have a voice throughout the criminal justice system.
Legal Representation
We provide free legal services to crime victims in criminal proceedings (including post-conviction) for issues relating to crime victims' rights. This service is available throughout Oregon.
We may be able to provide free legal services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking for:
- Protection order contested hearings for the following orders: Family Abuse Prevention Act, Sexual Abuse Protective Order, Elderly Persons and Persons with Disability Act, and Stalking Order.
- Issues that may arise in association with protection orders.
- Safety planning and resource referrals.
Please call us to discuss your situation and find out if you are eligible for services. Contact us at 503-208-8160 or at [email protected]. We can be reached by phone Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule an in-person appointment, please call in advance.
Eligibility for Legal Representation
- We represent child and adult victims of crime, including but not limited to victims of sexual abuse, homicide, domestic violence, stalking, and vehicular assault.
- Clients must be either current residents of Oregon or victims of crimes that occurred in the state of Oregon.
- OCVLC serves all population groups.
- OCVLC does not provide representation in domestic relation cases, including custody and dissolution, landlord/tenant cases including eviction, or property issues.
Support Services
We provide free support services such as:
- Safety Planning.
- Informational support.
- Assistance in applying for Crime Victims' Compensation and the Address Confidentiality Program.
- Accompaniment to court or to report a crime.
- Referrals to other agencies and programs for issues outside the scope of the services provided by OCVLC.
Due to the grants that fund OCVLC's services our attorneys are unable to represent victims or survivors who are the defendant or respondent in a case. OCVLC does not provide legal representation in family law cases (divorce, custody), immigration cases, personal injury suits, civil suits seeking damages, dependency or other child welfare proceedings. If you need legal assistance for services not offered by OCVLC, you can contact your local legal aid office or the Oregon State Bar at (503) 684-3763 for a referral.
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Justice policy, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, or age. To file a complaint of discrimination, write Office of Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OCR), 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-3087-2027 (TDD/TYY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech) or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).
The Oregon Crime Victims Law Center is committed to carrying out its mission with the utmost integrity. Our mission is to provide free legal representation to crime victims in Oregon to assist in asserting and seeking enforcement of victims’ rights. In an effort to carry our mission, we understand that there may be occasions that those accessing our services and expertise may not be satisfied with the outcome. If you are dissatisfied with the manner or quality of legal assistance provided to you by an office, you may file a written complaint stating your reasons with the executive director. You may ask for a copy of the grievance policy and if you have difficulty in writing due to a disability or for any other reason, you may ask for assistance in preparing the written complaint. The executive director will investigate and review your complaint and will inform you of the result in writing. If you are not satisfied with the written response that you receive, or if your complaint is against the executive director, you may file a similar complaint with the The Oregon Department of Justice Crime Victims and Survivors Services Division by emailing:
[email protected].
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Justice policy, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sex, or age. To file a complaint of discrimination, write Office of Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OCR), 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-3087-2027 (TDD/TYY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech) or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).
The Oregon Crime Victims Law Center is committed to carrying out its mission with the utmost integrity. Our mission is to provide free legal representation to crime victims in Oregon to assist in asserting and seeking enforcement of victims’ rights. In an effort to carry our mission, we understand that there may be occasions that those accessing our services and expertise may not be satisfied with the outcome. If you are dissatisfied with the manner or quality of legal assistance provided to you by an office, you may file a written complaint stating your reasons with the executive director. You may ask for a copy of the grievance policy and if you have difficulty in writing due to a disability or for any other reason, you may ask for assistance in preparing the written complaint. The executive director will investigate and review your complaint and will inform you of the result in writing. If you are not satisfied with the written response that you receive, or if your complaint is against the executive director, you may file a similar complaint with the The Oregon Department of Justice Crime Victims and Survivors Services Division by emailing:
[email protected].