California · Government Code

GOV §13972: (a) If a private citizen incurs personal injury or death or damage to his or her property in preventing the commission of a crime against the person or property of another, in apprehending a criminal,

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

Private citizens injured or suffering property damage while preventing crime, apprehending criminals, or rescuing people may file claims with the California Victim Compensation Board for compensation not available from other sources.

Read the full statutory text
(a) If a private citizen incurs personal injury or death or damage to his or her property in preventing the commission of a crime against the person or property of another, in apprehending a criminal, or in materially assisting a peace officer in prevention of a crime or apprehension of a criminal, or rescuing a person in immediate danger of injury or death as a result of fire, drowning, or other catastrophe, the private citizen, his or her surviving spouse, his or her surviving children, a person dependent upon the citizen for his or her principal support, any person legally liable for the citizen’s pecuniary losses, or a public safety or law enforcement agency acting on behalf of any of the above may file a claim with the California Victim Compensation Board for indemnification to the extent that the claimant is not compensated from any other source for the injury, death, or damage. The claim shall generally show all of the following: (1) The date, place, and other circumstances of the occurrence or events that gave rise to the claim. (2) A general description of the activities of the private citizen in prevention of a crime, apprehension of a criminal, or rescuing a person in immediate danger of injury or death as a result of fire, drowning, or other catastrophe. (3) The amount or estimated amount of the injury, death, or damage sustained for which the claimant is not compensated from any other source, insofar as it may be known at the time of the presentation of the claim. (4) Any other information that the California Victim Compensation Board may require. (b) A claim filed under subdivision (a) shall be accompanied by a corroborating statement and recommendation from the appropriate state or local public safety or law enforcement agency.

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