Marsy’s Law Applauds Governor DeSantis for Updated Victim Brochure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2020
CONTACT:
Jennifer Fennell, CoreMessage
(850) 222-3767, [email protected]
Marsy’s Law Applauds Governor DeSantis for Updated Victim Brochure
Tallahassee, Fla. (September 10, 2020) – Marsy’s Law for Florida praises Governor Ron DeSantis’ efforts to establish a new victims’ rights brochure to be used by law enforcement agencies as part of their constitutional requirement to notify victims of their rights.
“Our office is working hard to support a system that victims of crime can rely on— no matter which of Florida’s 67 counties they might be located in,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I am a strong supporter of Marsy’s Law. Making sure that crime victims are notified of their meaningful and enforceable constitutional rights is critical to their ability to exercise those rights.”
The brochure will help create consistency in the notification process and would help ensure all victims know their constitutional rights under Marsy’s Law for Florida. The brochure has been provided to assist all agencies, including sheriffs' offices and police departments, throughout the state in their communications with victims. The brochure details the rights victims have as outlined in the Florida Constitution, and describes the processes within the criminal justice system for both adults and juveniles.
Clear, enforceable crime victims’ rights, commonly known as Marsy’s Law, were placed in the Florida Constitution following the passage of Amendment 6 in 2018. Those rights include, but are not limited to: the right to have your safety and welfare, as well as your family’s, considered when setting bail; the right to prevent the disclosure of information or records that could be used to locate or harass you or your family, or which could disclose your confidential or privileged information; the right to full and timely restitution, the right to be heard and informed; and more.
“Marsy’s Law for Florida thanks Governor DeSantis for working hard to ensure victims of crime are treated with dignity and respect,” said Jennifer Fennell, spokesperson for Marsy’s Law for Florida. “While there remains work to do in Florida and around the nation, this is a step in the right direction for victims and the agencies that work with them daily.”
You can find the 2020 Victim Brochure here.
For more information on Marsy’s Law for Florida, visit www.marsyslawforfl.com.
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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.