Calls on Florida Constitutional Revision Commission to send Proposal 96 to the
voters, to place enforceable rights for crime victims in the Florida Constitution
The Marsy’s Law for Florida effort today announced the endorsement and support of R.J. Larizza, the elected State Attorney for the 7th Judicial District, which includes Daytona Beach, and between its four counties has nearly a million residents.
“As a prosecutor, I have devoted my professional career, and my time in public office, to ensuring that victims of crime are treated with dignity and respect. On a weekly basis I meet with Victims and their families to discuss and prepare them for the grueling process they are about to experience. Because supporting victim’s rights is the right thing to do, I endorse Marsy’s Law and urge CRC members to advance it to voters,” said State Attorney Larizza, in supporting the measure. “I have reviewed the language in Proposal 96, Marsy’s Law, as it heads to the full Constitutional Review Commission (CRC), and I am confident that these enumerated rights will guarantee that victims of crime have meaningful and enforceable rights.”
Proposal 96, known as Marsy’s Law, proposes to enshrine key rights for victims of crime into the Florida constitution. Highlights from the proposal include:
- The right to be treated with dignity and respect.
- The right to be notified of proceedings in their cases.
- The right to be present at proceedings, including the trial.
- The right to be heard at key moments such as at sentencing or a release hearing.
- The right to confer with the prosecuting attorney about the case.
- The right to decline a request from the defense for pre-trial interview or discovery.
- The right to be notified when the accused is to be released or if there is an escape.
- The right to full and timely restitution.
- The right to go to a judge to assert their rights if they feel they are being violated.
- The right to be notified of their rights.
“The constitution of a state is where we place those things we value as a society – and as a values proposition Marsy’s Law is a tremendous idea.” said Larizza.
Larizza joins a growing list of State Attorneys who have endorsed Marsy’s Law, including Miami-Dade County prosecutor Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Tampa prosecutor Andrew Warren, Ocala prosecutor Brad King, as well as former State Attorneys Rod Smith of Gainesville and Willie Meggs of Tallahassee.
If passed by the CRC, Marsy’s Law for Florida would be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot as a constitutional amendment. The proposal must receive 60 percent of the vote to be placed in the Florida Constitution.
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.
