Florida Clerks of Court Endorse Amendment 6/ Marsy’s Law for Florida

June 28, 2018

Clerks of the Court from 17 Florida counties have announced their endorsement of Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida, which would place equal rights and protections for victims in the state constitution if supported by voters. Endorsing Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida are:

  • Baker County Clerk of Courts Stacie Harvey
  • Bradford County Clerk of Courts Ray Norman
  • Citrus County Clerk of Courts Angela Vick
  • Clay County Clerk of Courts Tara Green
  • Franklin County Clerk of Courts Marcia Johnson
  • Hendry County Clerk of Courts Barbara Butler
  • Hernando County Clerk of Courts Don Barbee
  • Indian River County Clerk of Courts Jeff Smith
  • Lee County Clerk of Courts Linda Doggett
  • Manatee County Clerk of Courts Angelina Colonneso
  • Martin County Clerk of Courts Carolyn Timmann
  • Okeechobee County Clerk of Courts Sharon Robertson
  • Pasco County Clerk of Courts Paula O’Neil
  • Pinellas County Clerk of Courts Ken Burke
  • Putnam County Clerk of Courts Tim Smith
  • Polk County Clerk of Courts Stacy Butterfield
  • Wakulla County Clerk of Courts Brent Thurmond

 

“As Clerk of the Circuit Court, my office interacts with victims, survivors, and their families on a daily basis,” said Martin County Clerk of the Court Carolyn Timmann. “Rights of crime victims belong in the Florida Constitution and Amendment 6 allows victims of crime to ‘opt-in’ to receive notification of all legal proceedings, and the rights of privacy, to be heard, and to be protected from harassment. Marsy’s Law will help give victims the dignity and respect they deserve. I encourage everyone to vote yes on Amendment 6 – Marsy’s Law.”

In addition to the Clerks of Court, 10 state attorneys have announced their support for Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida, as well as members of the state’s law enforcement community. Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida has been endorsed by more than half of the state’s sheriffs, Florida Police Chiefs Association and Florida Sheriffs Association.

Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida will be on the November 2018 General Election ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. If passed by a margin of 60 percent or more of Florida voters, Amendment 6 would place a Crime Victims Bill of Rights in the state constitution. Including a Crime Victims Bill of Rights in the state constitution would ensure crime victims have clear, enforceable rights that are equal to, not greater than, the rights of the accused and convicted.

The measure was approved and placed on the ballot by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission in April.

For more information on Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida, visit https://www.marsyslawforfl.com/what_is_marsy_s_law_for_florida.

 

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About Marsy’s Law

Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail.  In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas, co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, has made it his mission to give victims and their families constitutional protections and equal rights. He formed Marsy’s Law for All in 2009, providing expertise and resources to victims’ rights organizations nationwide.