Marsy’s Law for Florida Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of Passage with Display in the Florida Capitol

November 06, 2023

TALLAHASSEE – To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passage of Marsy’s Law for Florida, the organization set up a display in the Florida capitol to increase awareness of the constitutional rights now afforded to Florida crime victims. Placed around the rotunda of the capitol are life-size cardboard silhouettes of people that feature information about the various rights and protections provided to crime victims under Marsy’s Law.

On November 6, 2018, 62 percent of Florida voters voted in favor of Amendment 6, more commonly known as Marsy’s Law for Florida, and enshrined in the state constitution a specific set of clear, enforceable rights and protections for crime victims. Marsy’s Law for Florida replaced antiquated victims’ rights language that had been placed in the state constitution 30 years earlier.

Some of these basic, commonsense rights to which Florida crime victims are now entitled include:

  • The right to be free from harassment and intimidation
  • The right to have standing in court
  • The right to present at all proceedings involving the case
  • The right to reasonable and timely notice of proceedings
  • The right to be heard in any proceeding during which a right of the victim is implicated including release, plea, sentencing, disposition, parole, revocation, expungement, or pardon
  • The right to timely notice of any release, escape, or death of the accused if the accused is in custody or on supervision at the time of death
  • The right to confer with the prosecution
  • The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay
  • The right to timely information about the outcome of the case

“Prior to the passage of Marsy’s Law, Florida crime victims did not have an equal voice as their cases moved through the criminal justice system. Now, crime victims have the right to participate in their cases in a meaningful way,” said Jennifer Fennell, Marsy’s Law for Florida spokesperson. “We hope this display helps reinforce that anyone who becomes a victim in Florida has rights and those rights matter.” 

Since 2018, Floridians have been among the 126 million Americans protected by Marsy’s Law. Versions of Marsy’s Law have been successfully passed and implemented in 11 other states.

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 an equal voice. He formed Marsy’s Law for All in 2009, providing expertise and resources to victims’ rights organizations nationwide.