How We Help Missouri Crime Victims
From immediate support to understanding your legal rights: attorney-backed resources every step of the way
What many victims don't realize: you may have more options than just the criminal case against your attacker.
Being a crime victim in Missouri is overwhelming. You're dealing with trauma, medical needs, and an uncertain future. Attorney-backed resources like ours exist to help you understand your full range of rights and legal options, including when property owners can be held responsible for inadequate security.
Whether you need immediate guidance, want to understand your rights in the criminal justice process, or are exploring whether you have a civil claim against the property owner where the crime occurred, we provide clear information to help you make informed decisions. There's no pressure, no rush. Just honest answers when you need them most.
Your Rights as a Crime Victim in Missouri
Protected by Missouri law
Missouri law provides crime victims with specific rights throughout the criminal justice process. Understanding these rights is the first step toward feeling less powerless. Importantly, these rights apply to the criminal case: the state's prosecution of your attacker. They're separate from any civil claim you might have against a property owner.
Right to Be Informed
You have the right to be notified about the progress of the criminal case, including arrest updates, court dates, trial schedules, and the outcome of the case. You should also be informed about any plea agreements before they're finalized. This keeps you from being surprised by developments in a case that directly affects you.
Right to Be Heard
Missouri law allows crime victims to submit a victim impact statement at sentencing. This is your opportunity to tell the court (in your own words) how the crime has affected you physically, emotionally, and financially. You also have the right to consult with the prosecutor handling the case, though the final decisions rest with them since they represent the state, not you personally.
Right to Protection
You have the right to be protected from intimidation, harassment, and abuse throughout the criminal proceedings. Courts can implement protective measures including restraining orders, address confidentiality, and separate waiting areas. Your safety matters, and Missouri law recognizes this.
Right to Restitution
In the criminal case, the court can order your attacker to pay restitution to cover certain losses. However, this is different from a civil lawsuit. Restitution is often limited in scope and can be difficult to collect if the offender has no income or assets. This is one reason why many crime victims also explore civil claims against property owners, who typically have insurance coverage.
Your Participation is Your Choice
While cooperation with law enforcement can be important for prosecution, the decision to participate in the criminal case is yours. The prosecutor represents the state of Missouri, not you personally. You can choose your level of involvement based on what feels right for you.
Importantly, your participation (or lack thereof) in the criminal case is completely separate from pursuing a civil claim against the property owner where the crime occurred. You have independent rights to file a civil lawsuit regardless of the criminal case outcome.
Missouri Crime Victims Compensation Program
State-funded financial assistance
Missouri's Crime Victims' Compensation Program is a state fund that helps crime victims with certain out-of-pocket expenses. It's an important resource that can provide immediate financial relief while you're dealing with the aftermath of a crime. However, it has significant limitations that crime victims should understand.
What's Covered
- Medical & dental expenses
- Mental health counseling
- Lost wages (limited)
- Funeral costs
- Crime scene cleanup
- Relocation expenses
What's NOT Covered
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress damages
- Property loss
- Punitive damages
- Full future medical costs
- Amounts above cap limits
Good to know: If you receive victim compensation and later win a civil lawsuit, the compensation program may seek reimbursement from your settlement (called subrogation). Your attorney will handle this coordination.
How to Apply
You typically have two years from the date of the crime to apply for victim compensation in Missouri. The application process requires documentation of your expenses and the crime itself. While a police report is helpful, you don't need one in all cases.
Free assistance is available to help you with the application process. Contact us and we can connect you with resources to help you apply.
Important to know: While victim compensation helps with immediate expenses and can provide critical support during recovery, it has strict limits and doesn't compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the full scope of your losses. Many Missouri crime victims don't realize they may also have a civil claim against the property owner where the crime occurred, which can provide full compensation including damages the state program doesn't cover. Keep reading to learn when property owners can be held liable.
When Property Owners Are Liable for Crimes
Critical information many victims don't know
Here's what many Missouri crime victims don't know: the criminal who attacked you may not be the only one who can be held legally responsible. When property owners fail to provide adequate security and someone gets hurt in a foreseeable crime, Missouri premises liability law may hold them accountable.
This is completely separate from the criminal case. It's a civil lawsuit where you seek compensation from the property owner.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners responsible when someone is injured on their property due to unsafe conditions or inadequate security. Property owners (including businesses like gas stations, apartment complexes, hotels, parking lots, and bars) have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe premises for people who visit.
For crime victims, this means property owners can be held liable if they knew or should have known about crime risks at their property and failed to take reasonable security measures to protect visitors. When that security failure contributes to a crime, the victim may have a premises liability claim.
What is Negligent Security?
Negligent security is a type of premises liability claim. It occurs when a property owner fails to provide adequate security measures (like proper lighting, working cameras, security guards, or functional locks), and someone is injured in a foreseeable crime as a result.
Common security deficiencies include:
- Inadequate lighting in parking areas, walkways, or common spaces
- Broken, fake, or non-existent surveillance cameras
- No security personnel at high-crime properties or during high-risk hours
- Broken locks, gates, or access control failures allowing unauthorized entry
- Poor landscaping creating hiding spots or obstructed visibility
If the property had a history of similar crimes and the owner did nothing to prevent future incidents, this strengthens a negligent security claim.
The Foreseeability Factor
A key question in premises liability cases is: Was the crime foreseeable? Courts look at whether the property owner knew or should have known that a crime was likely to occur based on the property's history and location.
Factors that establish foreseeability include:
- Prior crime history at the property: previous assaults, robberies, shootings, or similar incidents
- Crime statistics for the surrounding area: is this a high-crime neighborhood?
- Previous police calls to the location: multiple calls for disturbances, fights, or criminal activity
- Property owner's actual knowledge: were they aware of dangers but did nothing?
Where Negligent Security Claims Apply
Premises liability and negligent security claims can arise from crimes that occur at many types of Missouri properties, including:
If you were attacked at one of these locations, you may have a premises liability claim. An attorney can evaluate whether the property owner's security failures contributed to what happened to you.
How Civil Claims Differ from Criminal Cases
Criminal cases and civil lawsuits are completely separate legal processes:
Criminal Case
- State of Missouri prosecutes the offender
- Can result in jail time or probation
- Burden of proof: "beyond reasonable doubt"
- You are a witness, not a party
- Prosecutor makes decisions, not you
Civil Lawsuit You Control
- You sue the property owner
- Seeks monetary compensation for you
- Burden of proof: "more likely than not"
- You are the plaintiff (the person suing)
- You and your attorney control decisions
Key points about pursuing both:
- You can pursue both simultaneously. They don't interfere with each other
- You don't have to wait for the criminal trial to finish before filing a civil lawsuit
- You can file a civil claim even if the attacker is never caught or prosecuted
- You don't need to identify the attacker to sue the property owner
- Property owners typically have insurance to cover claims, making recovery more likely
What You Can Recover in a Civil Lawsuit
Unlike victim compensation, which has strict caps and limitations, a successful premises liability lawsuit can provide full compensation for all your damages:
- Full medical expenses (past and future treatment costs)
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity (if you can't return to work)
- Pain and suffering (not available through victim compensation)
- Emotional distress and PTSD treatment
- Permanent disability compensation
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of quality of life
This is why civil lawsuits can be so important for crime victims. Unlike victim compensation, which caps benefits and excludes pain and suffering, a premises liability claim can provide full compensation for the totality of what you've endured.
Confidential. Free. Missouri-focused.
Free Legal Consultation
Understanding your rights and options is the first step. But determining whether you have a viable premises liability claim requires legal analysis. That's where an experienced crime victim attorney can help, and the consultation is free with no obligation.
When to Talk to an Attorney
The best time to consult with an attorney is as soon as possible after the crime. Here's why:
- Evidence is easier to gather early
- Witnesses' memories are fresh
- Property conditions can be documented
- Statute of limitations (typically 5 years, but earlier is better)
- You don't need to wait for the criminal case to resolve
What to Expect from a Consultation
A free consultation with a premises liability attorney is:
- Confidential: protected by attorney-client privilege
- Free: no upfront costs, no fees for the consultation
- No obligation: you're not required to hire the attorney
- Informative: understand whether you have a claim
The attorney will evaluate foreseeability, security failures, potential damages, and whether you have a viable premises liability claim.
Contingency Fee Basis
Most premises liability attorneys in Missouri work on a contingency fee basis, which means:
No Upfront Costs
You pay nothing to hire the attorney
Only Pay if You Win
Attorney fees come from your settlement
Typical Fee: 33-40%
Of your final settlement or verdict
If you don't win, you don't pay attorney fees. This arrangement allows crime victims to pursue justice without financial risk.
What to Gather for Your Consultation
While not required, having these documents ready can help your attorney evaluate your case:
- Police reports and incident reports
- Medical records and bills
- Photos of injuries and the property
- Witness names and contact information
- Documentation of lost wages
- Prior crime history at location (news articles, CAD reports)
- Property security features (or lack thereof)
- Any correspondence with property owner/insurance
Don't worry if you don't have everything on this list. An attorney can still evaluate your case and help you gather additional evidence if needed.
How We Connect You With Help
Our mission is simple: provide Missouri crime victims with clear, honest information about all their options, and connect them with experienced attorneys when they're ready. No pressure, no rush, no judgment.
Tell Us What Happened
Share your situation in whatever way feels comfortable: confidential form, phone, or email. You choose how much detail to provide and when you're ready.
Get Clear Information
We explain your options in plain language: victim compensation, your rights in the criminal case, and whether you may have a civil claim against the property owner.
Connect with the Right Attorney
When you're ready, we connect you with experienced premises liability attorneys who handle negligent security cases in Missouri. Free consultations with no obligation.
There's no rush to make decisions. You control the timeline. Whether you want to understand your victim rights, learn about compensation, or explore whether you may have a premises liability claim, you'll find attorney-reviewed information at every step.
Have more questions? Read our FAQ for detailed answers about premises liability, negligent security, and working with attorneys.
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