Civil Justice
When Can a Property Owner Be Responsible for a Violent Crime?
A property owner is not automatically liable because a crime occurs on the property.
Updated September 23, 2026
Reviewed for publication by Mark A. Amador | Former California prosecutor | Partner, Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP
The legal question
Third-party crime can raise premises-liability issues when the owner's own acts or omissions are alleged to have contributed to the risk.
Foreseeability
Prior incidents, known conditions, property type, security measures, notice, and the burden of proposed precautions can matter.
Preservation
Video, access records, security logs, incident reports, contracts, and witness information may disappear and can warrant early preservation.
Legal reference: California Constitution article I, section 28; California DOJ victim-rights materials. Parole-specific pages also rely on current CDCR victim-services guidance. This page is general information, not legal advice.
General information only. Rights, procedures, deadlines, and available remedies can depend on the facts and the stage of the case.