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Victim Services

Sacramento County District Attorney’s Hate Crimes Unit

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the distinctive fear and stress typically suffered by victims of hate crimes, the potential for reprisal and escalation of violence, and the far-reaching negative consequences that hate crimes have on our community. The District Attorney’s Office considers hate crimes to be very serious and is committed to prosecute hate crimes aggressively through vertical prosecution by the Hate Crimes Unit, within the Major Crimes Bureau.

If you have been a victim of a hate crime:

  • If you are seriously injured, call 911 or get to the hospital immediately.

  • Whether or not you are injured, report the crime.

  • To help yourself, it is important to do at least some of these things:

  • See a doctor to treat and document even minor physical injuries.

  • Take pictures of any physical injuries or damages to property, even if police already did so.

  • If the crime is vandalism, let the police see and photograph the damage before you clean and/or repair.

  • If possible, get witnesses’ names, addresses and telephone numbers.

  • Write down as many facts about the incident as you can remember.

  • Seek a therapist to assist with the emotional aspects of the attack.  Our victim witness unit can provide assistance.  (Victim Witness Assistance Program)

  • Learn the names of the police officers and prosecutors working on the case, and keep in touch with them.

  • Get copies of police reports and check them for accuracy.

  • Attend necessary court hearings, whether you are subpoenaed, including arraignment, bail review and sentencing.

  • If possible, make a statement in court to the judge about threats, direct or indirect, and possible fears.

Additional Resources:

  1. Anti-Defamation League: Fighting Antisemitism and Hate

  2. Victims of Crime Resource Center (UOP’s 1800Victims)

  3. Crime Victim Resources – City of Sacramento

  4. NAPABA (National Asian Pacific American Bar Association) Hate Crime Resources

  5. Hate Crimes (victimconnect.org)

  6. FBI – Victims Services

  7. Office of the Attorney General – Hate Crimes