Marsy’s Law for Florida Announces Amendment 6 Campaign State Chairmen
Marsy’s Law for Florida today announced Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi, Democrat State Senator Lauren Book, Republican State Senate Majority Leader Wilton Simpson, and Former Democratic State Party Chair, State Senator, and State Attorney Rod Smith will serve as state chairmen of the campaign to pass Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida.
If passed by Florida voters, Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida would provide crime victims with rights and protections equivalent to those already afforded the accused and convicted. It will equalize victims in the court system without taking any rights or protections away from defendants.
“Amendment 6 will strengthen the rights and protections provided to victims of crime in Florida,” said Attorney General Bondi. “With the passage of Amendment 6, crime victims will have a list of specific rights spelled out in Florida’s Constitution which will further help and support them every step of the way in the criminal justice process.”
“The scales of justice are not balanced in Florida. I support Amendment 6 because I support equal rights for victims of crime in our state’s constitution,” said Senator Book. “I understand how helpless victims and survivors can feel when it seems the court system does not have your best interests in mind. Amendment 6 will give crime victims a voice and ensure the rights of generations to come.”
“There is a great need for constitutional protection for those who have suffered pain and trauma after a crime has been perpetrated against them,” said Senator Simpson. “I’m proud to support Amendment 6 and will work to ensure victims are guaranteed rights equal to those who are accused of victimizing them.”
“In my time in the criminal justice system, there have been victims who wanted to be informed of the proceedings of their case and were simply not notified,” said former State Attorney Smith. “Crime victims should have the right to be notified, informed, and heard. Amendment 6 will enumerate these essential rights in our state Constitution.”
Versions of Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law have already been passed in six states: California, Illinois, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Montana. In addition to Florida, Marsy’s Law will appear on the ballot this November in Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, Nevada and Oklahoma, and efforts to expand victims’ rights are underway in other states, including Wisconsin, Idaho and Maine.
For more information on Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida, visit www.marsyslawforfl.com.
###
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.