Little Rock Sexual Assault Lawyers, Arkansas

Pursuing justice for those injured from sexual assault throughout Arkansas

If you have been sexually assaulted, you may be able to press civil charges against the perpetrator to recover compensation for your injuries and losses from the attack even if he or she did not face criminal charges or were not convicted of a crime.

At the Little Rock personal injury law firm of Bailey & Greer PLLC, we are here to protect the civil rights of those who have been sexually assaulted. Our sexual assault attorneys hold the perpetrator and any other legally culpable party accountable for your injuries and losses. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a sexual assault attorney today. You will not pay attorney fees until we have recovered compensation for you.

What is the difference between a criminal lawsuit and a civil lawsuit for sexual assault?

After a sexual assault, if the perpetrator has been apprehended, they may face criminal charges for having broken the law. The goal of charging them with a crime, having them submit to a trial where they can be convicted, and face jail time is to protect the citizens from further criminal acts by this person. Once the judge or a jury has convicted the alleged assailant, they will be remanded to a correctional facility if they receive a jail sentence as part of their penalty, and the criminal justice system moves on to the next case before them.

A criminal conviction does nothing to help the victim of the crime except that they can be confident that they no longer need to fear being attacked by this person while they are in prison. If they suffered injuries whether physical or emotional, they receive no recompense.

The victim can file a civil claim against the defendant, and instead of facing criminal penalties, he or she would be liable to pay compensation to the victim for the physical pain and suffering and the emotional trauma and distress from being attacked and violated. A plaintiff in a sexual assault civil proceeding can pursue a civil claim against their assailant if they were acquitted, or if they were not criminally charged, or if the charges were dropped.  It is easier for the plaintiff to prevail in a civil lawsuit as the burden of proof is lower than that of a criminal lawsuit. In a criminal lawsuit, the burden of proof is, "beyond a reasonable doubt," while in a civil lawsuit the plaintiff must prove it "more probable than not" that the perpetrator sexually assaulted the victim.