Facts
The complainant, a minor boy, applied for victim support under the Victim Support Act (VSA) due to an altercation with a neighbor. The Department of the Interior of the Canton of Solothurn rejected the application, as the impairment of physical and psychological integrity was not severe enough. The complainant appealed to the Administrative Court of the Canton of Solothurn, which dismissed the appeal and imposed court costs on the complainant. The complainant then filed an administrative appeal and a constitutional appeal with the Federal Court.
The altercation between the complainant and the neighbor occurred on May 10, 1998. The complainant claimed that the neighbor had shaken, pulled, and hit him on the head. However, the neighbor claimed that he had merely separated the fighting children. The criminal authorities discontinued the investigation proceedings, as no offense had been committed.
The complainant applied for victim support, including emergency and long-term assistance, as well as free legal aid and representation. The Administrative Court dismissed the appeal and imposed court costs on the complainant.
Considerations
The Federal Court dismissed the appeal and confirmed the decision of the Administrative Court. It stated that the impairment of the complainant's physical and psychological integrity was not severe enough to justify victim support. The court found that the altercation between the complainant and the neighbor was an everyday fight between children and that the complainant's injuries were not severe.
The court also stated that free legal aid and representation could not be granted, as…