Florida News Straight From the Source
Appealing to voters from the perspective of a survivor of child sexual abuse, a new “Yes on Amendment 6” ad featuring Lauren Book is now running across Florida. [Read more…] about Marsy’s Law for Florida Releases Statewide “Yes on Amendment 6” Ad Campaign Featuring Lauren Book
Regarding Florida Supreme Court Upholding Amendment 6 on the General Election Ballot
“We appreciate the Florida Supreme Court’s expeditious review of the previous ruling on Amendment 6 and are incredibly pleased their opinion affirms the amendment’s current ballot language is fair and accurate. Their decision to uphold Amendment 6 on the General Election ballot justly provides Florida voters with the opportunity to decide if they believe our state constitution should provide victims of crime with rights and protections equal to those already afforded the accused and convicted.”
“The Florida Supreme Court was in South Florida today hearing arguments for why Amendment 6, also known as Marsy’s Law for Florida, should remain on the November General Election ballot. More than political or legal theatre, this is an issue that is so important and so deeply personal to Floridians who are survivors of crime, including me. [Read more…] about Statement by Florida Senator Lauren Book, Child Sexual Abuse Survivor and Founder of Lauren’s Kids
Beginning tomorrow and on each day in September, Marsy’s Law for Florida will highlight on its social media platforms 30 different reasons why proposed constitutional Amendment 6, which embeds specific victims’ rights and protections in the state constitution, is necessary. [Read more…] about Marsy’s Law for Florida Social Media Campaign Highlights Need for Victims’ Rights Constitutional Amendment
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. [Read more…] about Marsy’s Law for Florida Launches Statewide “Yes on Amendment 6” Ad Buy
Law enforcement leadership from across the state continue to endorse Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida, which would place equal rights and protections for victims in the state constitution if supported by voters. Endorsing Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida are:
Previously endorsed by sheriffs from 24 counties, the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sheriffs Association, Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida now has the support of more than half of the state’s sheriffs.
A proposed constitutional amendment, Amendment 6/Marsy’s Law for Florida will be on the November 2018 General Election ballot. If passed by a margin of 60 percent or more of Florida voters, Amendment 6 would place a Crime Victims Bill of Rights in the state constitution. Enshrining a Crime Victims Bill of Rights in the state constitution would ensure crime victims have clear, enforceable rights that are equal to, not greater than, the rights of the accused and convicted.
Amendment 6/Marsy’s for Florida was approved and placed on the ballot by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission in April.
The measure has also received the support of Governor Rick Scott, former Governor Jeb Bush, U.S. Congressman Ron DeSantis, State Senator Lauren Book, State Senator Darryl Rouson, Florida Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, former Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Wansley Walters, Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca, Retired Florida Judge Frank Shepherd, Indian River County Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan, State Attorney Andrew Warren (13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County) State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle (11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County) State Attorney R.J. Larizza (7th Judicial Circuit, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties), State Attorney Brad King (5th Judicial Circuit, Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties), State Attorney Dave Aronberg (15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County), and former State Attorneys Rod Smith of Gainesville and Willie Meggs of Tallahassee.
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.
The Florida Smart Justice Alliance today endorsed Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) Proposal 96, commonly known as Marsy’s Law, which would establish a Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights in the Florida Constitution.
“Marsy’s Law provides common sense protections for crime victims, ensuring they have the right to be heard, the right to be present, and the right to be informed,” said Barney Bishop, CEO of the Florida Smart Justice Alliance. “Many times, victims fall through the cracks of the criminal justice system and, with Marsy’s Law, we have an easy way to remedy that. All that victims are asking is to be treated with the same dignity and respect afforded to those accused of the crimes that have harmed them. By placing Marsy’s Law on the 2018 ballot, voters will have the opportunity to decide if victims should be granted those rights.”
Six other states have enacted Marsy’s Law, including California, Illinois, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Montana. Polling conducted in October showed there is strong interest among Florida voters to enact Marsy’s Law in the Sunshine State. Eighty-seven percent of likely Florida voters believe victims should have, at the very least, the same protections in the state constitution as those given to those accused of committing crimes. When read specific ballot language and informed of the background behind Marsy’s Law, 85 percent of those surveyed said they would vote for a constitutional amendment that guarantees victims’ rights in the Florida Constitution.
Proposal 96 recently passed the full body of the CRC by a vote of 30-3. Pending one final vote, Marsy’s Law for Florida will be placed on the 2018 General Election ballot as a constitutional amendment. The proposal must be approved by 60 percent of voters 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.
Sheriffs from 24 counties joined the growing list of law enforcement leaders endorsing Marsy’s Law for Florida/Constitution Revision Commission Proposal 96, which would place equal rights and protections for victims in the state constitution. Endorsing Marsy’s Law for Florida today:
Marsy’s Law for Florida was previously endorsed by the Florida Police Chiefs Association and Florida Sheriffs Association.
In a letter to Marsy’s Law for Florida/Proposal 96 sponsor Constitution Revision Commissioner Tim Cerio, Walton County Sheriff and Florida Sheriffs Association President Mike Adkinson said, “Florida has always been a state with strong safeguards in place for crime victims. Previous state legislatures made certain that crime victims were both protected and properly compensated. Proposal 96 will further strengthen these efforts by guaranteeing crime victims have a meaningful role in the criminal justice system. Victims of crime must be treated with fairness and Proposal 96 respects victims by providing them with access to information on every step of the judicial process.”
The measure has also received the support of Governor Rick Scott, former Governor Jeb Bush, State Attorney Andrew Warren (13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County) State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle (11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County) State Attorney R.J. Larizza (7th Judicial Circuit, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties), State Attorney Brad King (5th Judicial Circuit, Marion, Lake, Citrus, Sumter, Hernando Counties), State Attorney Dave Aronberg (15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County), former State Attorneys Rod Smith of Gainesville and Willie Meggs of Tallahassee, and State Senator Lauren Book.
The sheriffs’ endorsements come in the midst of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 8 – 14, a time to promote victims’ rights and honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.
The full Constitution Revision Commission has already voted favorably on Marsy’s Law for Florida and will vote again one final time to determine if the measure should be placed on the November ballot as a proposed constitutional amendment. To be placed in the Florida Constitution, the amendment must pass with at least 60 percent of the vote.
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.
WHAT: Serving as a kick-off to the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Marsy’s Law for Florida will honor victims who have lost their lives to violent crime by joining the Justice Coalition at the annual “Tossing of the Roses” event, where surviving families and friends will toss yellow roses into the St. Johns River in memory of their loved ones.
WHO: Members of the Justice Coalition, a nonprofit organization serving crime victims on Florida’s First Coast; Marsy’s Law for Florida advocates; families of violent crime victims and other supporters.
WHEN: Monday, April 9
6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Jacksonville Landing
2 Independent Drive
Jacksonville, Fla. 32202
WHAT: In commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), Lake Eola will honor Florida crime victims and the Marsy’s Law for Florida effort by lighting the park’s signature fountains in purple for one night on Monday, April 9, at 5:59 p.m. The color represents Floridians who have been victimized by violent crime, recognizing their bravery and reminding them they are not alone. Championed by victims, families, advocates and elected officials, Marsy’s Law for Florida is a proposed constitutional amendment (CRC Proposal 96) to provide crime victims and their families with clear, enforceable rights in our state constitution.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week raises awareness of victims’ rights for one week during April. This year, NCVRW’s theme is “Expand the Circle: Reach All Victims” – emphasizing the importance of ensuring all crime victims, regardless of age, race, gender or sexual orientation, have access to services and support. By celebrating NCVRW, Marsy’s Law for Florida hopes to educate Floridians about the gap that currently exists in our justice system, which ultimately leaves crime victims feeling voiceless and alone.
WHEN: Monday, April 9
5:59 p.m. through 11:59 p.m.
WHERE: Lake Eola
512 East Washington Street
Orlando, Florida 32801
