Q: Hello, if someone living in another country commits a crime against me, can I sue them?

A: An attorney in the District of Columbia could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. One option is to consult with an attorney in the jurisdiction where the act took place, as there could be a number of issues to sort out in terms of applicable laws, jurisdiction basis, and whether they would need to coordinate efforts with an attorney in the District of Columbia. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

A: You posted this as a personal injury question, and appear to be looking to sue based on conduct that would be a crime here if committed here, but the conduct was committed in a foreign country where it is not a crime. Not all crimes give rise to a civil cause of action. Criminal prosecution can only take place in the jurisdiction where the crime was committed, so you will have to clarify whether you suffered injury or damages in the District of Columbia based on wrongful, intentional or negligent acts directed at you from elsewhere. The analysis of the facts involved may or may not provide you with personal jurisdiction over the foreign defendant under DC's Long Arm statute. However, obtaining a judgment here may not ultimately be enforceable against the defendant in his home country, which may not acknowledge or enforce such a judgment against its own citizen. Therefore, unless the defendant has assets here in the United States that may be attached or seized to pay a judgment obained in DC, you may expend a considerable amount of time and money without the ability to recover any damages.