Passing Marsy’s Law crucial for crime victims in Florida
Through my experience as an attorney, it’s evident the way a state treats its most vulnerable citizens speaks volumes about its values. While our justice system in the Sunshine State endeavors to protect the rights of all citizens, there is an opportunity to improve how crime victims are protected in the Florida Constitution.
Like most Floridians, I believe victims of crime and their families should be treated with fairness, dignity and respect. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor Marsy’s Law for Florida.
Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee (Marsy) Nicholas, an accomplished University of California-Santa Barbara student, who was stalked and murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. One week after Marsy’s murder, her family walked into a grocery store and was approached by the accused murderer. They had no idea he had been released on bail.
Isn’t it reasonable to think they should have had the right to know their loved one’s accused murderer had been released on bail?
Thankfully, there is a proposed constitutional amendment currently pending approval before the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) to pass Marsy’s Law in Florida.
Marsy’s Law is a national movement seeking to amend the 15 state constitutions, including Florida’s, that do not offer equal protections to crime victims. Introduced as Proposal 96 by my fellow Commissioner Timothy Cerio, this proposed change would ensure that victims of crime and their families would be afforded equal constitutional protections as those afforded to convicted criminals and the accused.
As a former state Assistant Attorney General and Assistant District Attorney, I recognize the accused are entitled to their rights enumerated in the constitution and Marsy’s Law has no intention of changing or removing any of those protections.
If passed by the CRC, Marsy’s Law would be placed on Florida’s November ballot for voter consideration. If approved by 60 percent of Florida voters, the Florida Constitution will be amended to include a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights.
DARLENE JORDAN, PALM BEACH Editor’s note: Jordan, executive director of the Gerald R. Jordan Foundation, is chair of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission’ Executive Committee.