Representación legal y honorarios en compensación a víctimas

Explicación Simple

Si alguien ha sido víctima de un crimen, puede tener un abogado que lo ayude a obtener compensación. Los honorarios de ese abogado son pagados desde un fondo especial, pero deben ser aprobados primero.

Es como si fueras a un restaurante donde la comida es pagada por un grupo de beneficencia, pero primero tienes que pedir permiso para que ellos cubran la cuenta del chef.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que María fue víctima de un robo y quiere recibir ayuda económica. Ella contrata a un abogado para que la represente en su solicitud de compensación. Los honorarios del abogado serán pagados por el fondo de compensación, pero el director del fondo debe aprobar cuánto le pagarán.

Penalidades

Si alguien recibe un pago ilegal por representación, puede ser multado hasta $500 o encarcelado hasta un año.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

SECTION 16-3-1340. Attorney for claimant; fees; attorney for Department of Crime Victim Compensation; soliciting employment to pursue claim or award; penalties. (A) A claimant may be represented by an attorney in proceedings under this article. Attorneys' fees must be paid from the Victim Compensation Fund, subject to the approval of the director, except that in the event of an appeal pursuant to Section 16-3-1140, attorneys' fees are subject to the approval of the board or its panel hearing the appeal. Attorneys within the Office of the Attorney General shall represent the Department of Crime Victim Compensation in proceedings under this article. (B) Any person who receives any fee or other consideration or any gratuity on account of services so rendered, unless the consideration or gratuity is approved by the deputy director, or who makes it a business to solicit employment for a lawyer or for himself in respect to any claim or award for compensation is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction must for each offense, be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not more than one year, or both. HISTORY: 1982 Act No. 455, SECTION 2; 1984 Act No. 489, SECTION 1; 1993 Act No. 181, SECTION 996; 2017 Act No. 96 (S.289), SECTION 5.N, eff July 1, 2017. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 96, Pt. II, SECTION 5.N, rewrote the section, making conforming changes reflecting the restructuring of victim services generally relating to the Victim Compensation Fund and certain responsibilities of the newly created Office of the Attorney General, South Carolina Crime Services Division, Department of Crime Victim Compensation.