Victims’ Rights

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Roxas Law has fiercely advocated on behalf of Asian-American victims of hate crimes and hate incidents. Sandy K. Roxas has also represented other marginalized communities, including LGBTQ, African American, and Latino communities who were victims of hate incidents and hate crimes. Their cases have received nationwide and international media attention and have drawn support from the AAPI community and allies.In June 2020, Roxas Law the victims, on a pro bono basis, in the case of the People of the State of California vs. Lena Hernandez. Hernandez, who was later dubbed “Torrance Karen,” was caught on video assaulting and spewing racist rants towards Asian Americans a park in Torrance, CA. During the assault, told the victims “go back to whatever Asian country you belong in” and “You need to go home…Chinaman!” During the time of the attacks of at the Torrance park, Hernandez was under investigation for an assault on another Asian American at the Del Amo Mall in Torrance, CA.

Roxas Law represented the victims as Victims’ Rights Attorneys pursuant to California’s Marsy’s Law. Roxas Law issued a Call-for-Action, bringing nationwide media attention on behalf of the victims and demanding swift investigation and criminal prosecution from the Torrance Police Department, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, and the Torrance City Prosecutor’s Office. As a result of the Call-for-Action, Hernandez was successfully prosecuted and convicted.

In July 2020, Roxas Law represents an African American victim and his Latina partner on a pro bono basis, in the case of People of the State of California vs. Gregory Howell. The victims were in their car when they were threatened and assaulted during a road rage incident in Torrance, CA. Howell allegedly got out of his vehicle and approached the victims and yelled, “White power” as he made a hand salute. Howell’s wife allegedly exited the vehicle and yelled, “Only white lives matter” and profanities. Howell then got a shovel and hit the victim’s car as the victim drove away. Howell has been charged with Felony Vandalism with a hate crime allegation.

In July 2020, a Japanese American family was physically threatened and assaulted during a road rage incident in Torrance, CA. The victims in this case attempted to report the anti-Asian hate crimes to the Torrance Police Department, but were quickly shunned by law enforcement. As the pro bono Victims’ Rights Attorney, Sandy accompanied the family to the Police Department, waited for several hours alongside the victims, and demanded that a police report be taken on behalf of the Japanese American victims. A police report was taken and the case remains under active investigation.

In April 2021, a hate incident and hate crime occurred against a Chinese American female in Arcadia, CA. The crime occurred at a major chain grocery store. Roxas Law represented the victim in this case on a pro bono basis, which is currently under active investigation.

In May 2021, a hate incident and hate crime occurred in Oakland, CA against a teenage Asian American male during a basketball game. Roxas Law represented the victim in this case on a pro bono basis, which is currently under active investigation.

In May 2022, a hate crime incident and hate crime occurred against a Filipino family at a McDonald’s parking lot in North Hollywood, CA. Roxas Law stood by the victims in advocating for a full investigation and a closer evaluation of the evidence. These efforts led to an Amended Complaint against the defendant, Nicholas Weber. The Complaint now includes a Felony Assault By Means of Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury as opposed to a Misdemeanor Battery.