Marsy’s Law for Florida today launched a major statewide television and digital advertising campaign asking voters to support Amendment 6, which would place clear, enforceable victims’ rights in the state constitution. Known as Marsy’s Law for Florida, Amendment 6 would provide victims with rights that are equal to, not greater than, the rights already provided to the accused and convicted.
Videos explaining the need for Amendment 6 in Florida began airing this week on television stations and running on digital and social media platforms in markets across the state.
View the television ads in support of Amendment 6: version one, version two and version three.
“Marsy’s Law for Florida has been embraced by Floridians from every walk of life – from state leaders to local elected officials to law enforcement to the victims and families who have experienced the trauma of crime firsthand,” said Greg Ungru, Marsy’s Law for Florida State Director. “Learning that victims have no clear, enforceable rights has been eye-opening for most Floridians. Through our campaign efforts we will be educating, informing and adding to the widespread, bipartisan support that already exists for Amendment 6.”
Amendment 6 proposes that a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights be embedded in the Florida Constitution. If passed by voters by a margin of 60 percent or greater, Amendment 6 would ensure Florida victims have basic, commonsense rights already afforded to the accused and convicted, such as:
- 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 proceedings free from unreasonable delay
- The right to timely information about the outcome of the case
Regarding the matter of whether Amendment 6 will appear on the General Election ballot, Barry Richard, attorney for Marsy’s Law for Florida said, “I am confident the Florida Supreme Court will give the people of Florida the chance to vote on Amendment 6. Voters will see a fair and accurate summary of Amendment 6 when they read the ballot.”
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 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.
