STOCKTON — Attorneys in the civil case against a former Tracy plastic surgeon accused of sexually abusing his patients feel the victims have a right to be heard in the concurrent criminal case.

Peter Chi, who stands accused of 67 felony counts relating to alleged sexual abuse, was not required to be in court at this morning’s hearing in Stockton. San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge Charlotte Orcutt scheduled the hearing to determine whether or not the civil case attorneys should be able to participate in Chi’s criminal case.

After Orcutt ruled that she was not going to allow such association, some of the attorneys in the civil case cited Marsy’s Law, which protects victims’ rights in a criminal trial, and said that their clients have a Constitutional right to be heard in the criminal matters.

Because this was not officially on today’s docket, Orcutt scheduled a hearing for Oct. 26 at 1:30 p.m. to decide how much of a right the alleged victims have to be a part of the criminal case.

“My goal is to make sure Mr. Chi gets a fair trial,” Orcutt said.

Three law firms representing the alleged victims filed a motion on Sept. 4 saying that their clients should receive sufficient notice of public hearings and should be a part of necessary hearings. Civil attorneys said they were worried that the criminal case investigations might affect the civil case.

“I really think it is an issue in the criminal trial because you have a unique circumstance here where the defense is able to conduct depositions of the victims,” said Jeff Silvia, who said he represents nine alleged victims in the civil case.

Orcutt said Chi would not have to be at the October hearing. The former doctor will have to be present on Nov. 9 to enter a plea.

Tracy police arrested Chi, a Livermore resident who used to practice at Beauty Renewed on Tracy Boulevard, in February. Since his arrest, dozens of alleged victims have come forward. He faces 67 felony counts: 50 of sexual battery by fraud, 16 of sexual penetration by foreign object while unconscious and one count of lewd act upon a child, a then-15-year-old girl.

Judge Roger Ross forced Chi to give up his medical license and passport. He remains out of custody after posting $500,000 bail.

There is a gag order on the case, preventing anyone involved from speaking with the media.

Contact Tracy Press reporter Justin Lafferty at 830-4269 or jlafferty@tracypress.com.