California's victim compensation program, which was established in 1965, provides that aid shall be paid, upon application, to the family of any person killed and to the victim and family, if any, of any person incapacitated as the result of a crime of violence, if there is need of such aid. The criteria for need are substantially the same as those for aid to families with dependent children, except that property qualifications do not apply. The State Board of Control, which currently administers the compensation program, is an administrative board that performs an audit function for the Legislature in the consideration of claims against the State. At a hearing, the board receives evidence showing the nature of the crime committed, the circumstances involved, the victim's personal injury. Evidence also concerns the extent of such injury, the needs of the claimant, and such other evidence as the board may require. The program is still in the developmental stages, and the limited number of claims filed makes generalization from existing empirical data speculative. The welfare ethic currently associated with the program should be eliminated, so that victim compensation is viewed as a legal right rather than a social gratuity for indigents. Footnotes which include references are provided.