Psychologist Michael Dane Ward Sexual Assault Case
Ex-L.A. County Sheriff Psychologist Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Young Boy & Girl
One of the former psychologists with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department on Friday of sexually assaulting and molesting a boy and girl both under the age of 10.
Michael Dane Ward, 45, a resident from La Cañada-Flintridge was convicted of four counts of lewd acts on a child, two counts of forcible lewd acts on a child under 14, three counts of oral copulation of a child 10 years old or younger, and one count of sodomy with a child under 10.
The victims of these crimes were a boy and girl who are Ward’s family members, according to the District Attorney’s Office who announced the conviction. The children were brave and testified against Ward at trial.
The sexual assaults occurred between October 2013 and November 2015.
Legal action was taken against Ward in May of 2016. He was relieved of duty as a nonsworn employee during the investigation.
Ward faces serving life in prison at his sentencing, set for October 19, 2017.
The Normandie Law Firm Is Here for You
Sexual assault is an incredibly serious crime. Victims suffer a lifetime of emotional and physical damages. There times when the criminal justice lets these victims down by failing to punish the prosecutor properly or by failing to get a conviction against the offender. A sexual assault lawyer can help you and your family get the justice you deserve by prosecuting the offender and getting you the damages which you deserve.
There are times when the sex offender is employed by a corporate entity, religious institution, or community organization which does not properly screen their employees before hiring them. If this is the case, then you can file a suit against these entities who should have run a background check on their employees.
Damages Available For a Sexual Assault Case
Damages is the financial compensation you can receive for a lawsuit. There are plenty of damages available to victims of an assault case which cannot take away the permanent damages the victim has suffered because of the sexual assault, but may help compensate for the treatment and emotional trauma.
Compensatory Damages: These damages are intended to “make the plaintiff whole.” In other words, the monetary compensation for the harm and expenses suffered because of the assault they experienced.
Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are only available to the victim when the courts decide that the defendant acted with malicious intent and meant to cause harm. The jury will consider the nature of the offender’s actions, the harm the offender caused to the victim, and the amount that would be necessary to punish the offender in accordance to their personal wealth.
If you have been sexually assaulted and want to take action against the offender, the Normandie Law Firm is here for you. We offer free consultation and the zero-fee guarantee, so there is no financial obligation or financial risk on your part.
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