WhoisMarsy?
Marsy’sLawwasnamedafterMarsalee(Marsy)Nicholas,abeautiful,vibrantUniversityofCaliforniaSanta
Barbarastudent,whowasstalkedandkilledbyherex-boyfriendin1983.OnlyaweekafterMarsywasmurdered,
herbrotherandmotherwalkedintoagrocerystoreaftervisitingMarsy’sgraveandwereconfrontedbythe
accusedmurderer.Theyhadnoideathathehadbeenreleasedonbail.Marsy’sfamilywasnotinformedbecause
thecourtsandlawenforcement,thoughwellmeaning,hadnoobligationtokeeptheminformed.Marsy’
brother,Dr.HenryNicholas,hasmadeitaprioritytohelpgivecrimevictimsconstitutionalrightsthroughhis
philanthropicwork.
WhatisMarsy’sLaw(AmendmentS)?
Marsy’sLawisaninitiatedconstitutionalamendmentthatwillbeonthe2016GeneralElectionballotlistedas
ConstitutionalAmendmentS.BelowisthetitleandAttorneyGeneralexplanationthatwillappearontheballot.
Title:AnInitiatedAmendmenttotheSouthDakotaConstitutiontoexpandrightsforcrimevictims
AttorneyGeneralExplanation:Currently,statestatutesprovidecertainrightstocrimevictims.This
measureexpandstheserightsandplacesthemintheStateConstitution.
Undertheamendment,therightsprovidedtoavictimgenerallyinclude:protectionfromharassmentor
abuse;therighttoprivacy;timelynoticeofalltrial,sentence,andpost-judgmentproceedingsincluding
pardonorparole;therighttoconferwiththeattorneyforthegovernment;andtheopportunitytoprovide
inputduringallphasesofthecriminaljusticeprocess.Victimswillbegivenwrittennotificationoftheir
rights.
Therightsmaybeenforcedbythevictim,thevictim’sattorneyorrepresentative,ortheattorneyforthe
government.Theymaybeenforcedinanytrialcourt,appealscourt,orotherproceedingaffectingthe
victim’srights.
Thedefinitionof“victim”includesapersonwhosuffersdirectorthreatenedharmastheresultofany
crime,attemptedcrime,oractofjuveniledelinquency.Italsoincludesthatperson’sspouse,children,
extendedfamilymembers,guardians,andotherswithasubstantiallysimilarrelationship.
Ifavictim’srightsprovidedbythisamendmentconflictwithacriminaldefendant’srightsundertheSouth
DakotaandUnitedStatesConstitutions,acourtmaydeterminethatthedefendant’srightstakepriority.
TheprovisionsinMarsy’sLawalreadyexisteitherincurrentSouthDakotastatelaw,federallaworinotherstate
constitutions.Marsy’sLawforSouthDakota(ConstitutionalAmendmentS)ismodeledafterconstitutional
languagethatmanystatespasseduptotwenty-fiveyearsagoandtheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActthatwas
passedbyCongressin2004.ItisalsobasedonmodellanguagethatwaspassedinCalifornia(2008)andIllinois
(2014).
WhyDoWeNeedMarsy’sLaw(AmendmentS)inSouthDakota?
1. CrimevictimsinSouthDakotahavenoconstitutionalrightssowehavesomeoftheweakestcrimevictim
lawsinthenation.SDisoneofthelaststatesthathasnoconstitutionalrightsforvictims.
2. SDcurrentstatutesforvictimrightslackclearenforceabilityandremedies.InMarburyv.Madison,the
U.S.SupremeCourtstatedtherecanbenorightwithoutaremedy…therefore,inessence,SD’sexisting
crimevictims’rightsstatutesarenotrights.
3. ThecurrentSDCrimeVictims’RightsActisverylimitedinscopeandonlyappliestocertaincrimes.Asa
result,mostcrimevictimsinSouthDakotahavenorights.Therearemanyseriouscrimesforwhichthe
victimshavenorightsundercurrentSDlaw,includingvehicularhomicide,burglary(2ndand3rddegree),
arson,simpleassault,intimidation,harassment,recklessdriving,theft,fraud,vandalism,identifytheft,
embezzlement,humantrafficking,orhatecrimes.
4. SDlawdoesnotrequirecrimevictimsbenotifiedthattheyhaverights-suchnotificationshouldbeabasic
thresholdright.
5. Constitutionalrightselevatevictims’rightstotheplacetheybelongsotheyareequalinstrengthtothe
rightsofcriminaloffenders.Victimsaretheindividualsmostharmedbycrimeandyettoooftentheyare
anafterthoughtinourcriminaljusticesystem–evenwithstatutoryrights.Marsy’sLawwouldbea
recognitionthatourcriminaljusticesystemshouldrespectvictimsasmuchasitrespectsdefendants.
6. Untillastmonth,SDhasbeenoneofonlyfivestatesthatdoesnothaveanautomatednotificationsystem
forcrimevictims.ThestateisintheprocessofimplementingthenewStatewideAutomatedVictim
InformationNotification(SAVIN)system,butitwon’tbeavailabletomostcrimevictimsbecauseitis
limitedundercurrentlaw.Marsy’sLawwillrequirethatSAVINbemadeavailabletoallvictims.
7. AmendmentSwillprotectcrimevictimsbyguaranteeingthemarighttoprivacyandtherighttobefree
fromintimidationandabuse.Itwillalsopreventthedisclosureofinformationorrecordsthatcouldbe
usedtolocateorharmthemortheirfamily.
8. AmendmentSwillgivevictimsaconstitutionalrighttorestitutionandmaketheirrestitutionapriority.
9. BusinessownersandseniorsinSDareespeciallyimpactedbyourstate’sweakvictims’rightslawsbecause
victimsofcrimeslikegrandtheft,fraud,embezzlementandextortionarenotincludedinthelegal
definitionof‘victim’undercurrentlaw…sotheyhavenorighttonotification,tobepresentathearingsor
tobeheard.Theyalsodon’thavearighttoconferwithaprosecutorbeforeapleaagreementismade.
10. AmendmentSwillclosealoopholeincurrentSDlawforwhichvictimsofhumantraffickingbycoercionor
fraudarenotcurrentlyrecognizedasvictims.
2
SouthDakotaVictimStories
AndreaRoyer,CentralSouthDakota:
“FouryearsagoIwasraped.EventhoughIreported
it,Iwasnevertoldifmyrapisthadbeenchargedor
evenarrested.Ashorttimelater,duringatriptothe
grocerystore,Icamefaceto-facewithmyrapist.
SouthDakotaneedsMarsy’sLawtogivevictims
strongerrightssowhathappenedtomedoesn’t
happentoanyoneelse.”
MartiCunningham,CentervilleSD:
“Inmycase,Iwasdeniedtherighttobeheardin
courtproceedings.IsupportMarsy’sLawbecauseI
believevictimsvoicesneedtobeheardandtheyneed
tobetakenintoconsideration.PleasevoteYesonS.”
JessicaMitzel,SiouxFallsSD:
“IwassexuallyassaultedbeforeIwasfiveyearsold.
Aftermyabuserwascharged,myprivacywasnot
protected.Soon,everyoneinthesmalltownwhereI
waslivingknewwhathadhappenedtome.Iwas
harassedtothepointthatIbecameanorexicand
attemptedsuicide.Marsy’sLawwouldhavegivenme
aconstitutionalrighttoprivacy.”
AngelaHanson,RapidCitySD:
“Asavictimofdomesticviolence,Ihaveseenfirsthandhowourjusticesystemhasignoredstatutory
notificationlaws.WeneedMarsy’sLawtostrengthen
victimrightsbyplacingtheminthestateconstitution
sotheyaretakenseriouslyandsotheyare
enforceable.Criminaloffendershaveextensive
constitutionalrights,yettheirvictimshavenonein
ourstate.PleasevoteYesonStogiveequalrightsto
crimevictims.”
EmilyAnderson,SiouxFalls:
“Myvehiclewasstruckbyamanwhowasanuninsuredmotoristandhad9previousinsurance
violations.Hedid$12,000damagetomybrandnew
vehicleandbecauseMarsy’sLawdidnotexist,Iwas
notrequiredtobenotifiedofcourtdates,Iwasnot
allowedtogivethejudgeanimpactstatement,and
themanwasneverrequiredtopayanyrestitutionto
methroughthecourts.Iwasasingleparentatthe
timeandfinanciallyimpactedbythisman,yetIwas
ignoredbythejusticeprocess.Marsy’sLawwould
havegivenmeavoiceandastrongerrightto
restitution.VoteYESonSforvictims’rights!!!”
MirandaBrudvig,SiouxFalls:
Evenafterverifyingtwicethatthejailhadhercurrent
protectionorderonfileandthattheyhadthecorrect
phonenumbertocallheruponheroffender’srelease,
Mirandawasnotnotifiedwhenhewasreleased.The
jail’sreasoningfornotcallingwas1.Theyjustdon’t
havethemanpowertocalleverysinglepersonwho
hasaprotectionorderand2.Theydon’treallycall
unlesstheinmateisbeingreleasedonaVIOLENT
VIOLATION(meaningthattheoffenderwouldhave
beenjailedduetoviolatingtheprotectionorderina
violentmanner,i.e.physicalassault,etc.).
“ClearlythereisaHUGEneedforavictimrightsbill
thatclearlyandacrosstheboardnotifiesvictimsof
thestatusoftheiroffender…PLEASEVOTEYESONS
thisNovember!”
3
TheCrimeVictims’RightsMovementBeganinthe70’s
Marsy’sLawispartofanationalmovementthatstartedinthe1970sasaresultoftheimbalanceinthecriminal
justicesystemwhichhadbecomepreoccupiedwithdefendant’srightstotheexclusionofconsideringthe
legitimateinterestofcrimevictims.Themovementgainedseriousmomentumin1982,whenPresidentReagan
createdaPresidentialTaskForcetostudytheissue.TheReportofthePresident’sTaskForceconcludedthatthe
criminaljusticesystem“haslostanessentialbalance…Thesystemhasdeprivedtheinnocent,thehonest,andthe
helplessofitsprotection…Thevictimsofcrimehavebeentransformedintoagroupoppressivelyburdenedbya
systemdesignedtoprotectthem.Thisoppressionmustberedressed.”
ThePresident’sTaskForceadvocatedmultiplereforms,suchasprosecutorsassumingtheresponsibilityfor
keepingvictimsnotifiedofallcourtproceedingsandbringingtothecourt’sattentionthevictim’sviewonsuch
subjectsasbail,pleabargains,sentencesandrestitution.TheTaskForcealsourgedthatcourtsshouldreceive
victimimpactevidenceatsentencing,orderrestitutioninmostcases,andallowvictimsandtheirfamiliesto
attendtrialseveniftheywouldbecalledaswitnesses.Initsmostsweepingrecommendation,theTaskForce
proposedafederalconstitutionalamendmenttoprotectcrimevictims’rights“tobepresentandtobeheardat
allcriticalstagesofjudicialproceedings.”SincetheTaskForcereleaseditsstudyin1982thirty-twostateshave
passedstateconstitutionalamendments.SouthDakotaisoneofthestatesthatgotleftbehind.
TheU.S.DepartmentofJusticeHasAlsoSupportedConstitutionalRightsforCrimeVictims.Belowisastatement
fromAttorneyGeneralJanetReno,HouseCommitteeontheJudiciary,SupportingHouseJointResolution71(June25,1997):
Basedonourpersonalexperiencesandtheextensivereviewandanalysisthathasbeenconductedatourdirection,the
PresidentandIhaveconcludedthatanamendmenttotheConstitutiontoprotectvictims'rightsiswarranted.Wehavecome
tothatconclusionforanumberofimportantreasons.First,unlesstheConstitutionisamendedtoensurebasicrightstocrime
victims,wewillnevercorrecttheexistingimbalanceinthiscountrybetweendefendants'constitutionalrightsandthecurrent
haphazardpatchworkofvictims'rights.WhileapersonarrestedorconvictedforacrimeanywhereintheUnitedStatesknows
thatheisguaranteedcertainbasicminimumprotectionunderournation'smostfundamentallaw,thevictimofthatcrimehas
noguaranteeofrightsbeyondthosethathappentobeprovidedandenforcedintheparticularjurisdictionwherethecrime
occurred.Avictims'rightsamendmentwouldensurethatcourtswillgiveweighttotheinterestsofvictims.Whenconfronted
withtheneedtoreconciletheconstitutionalrightsofadefendantwiththestatutoryrightsofavictim,manycourtsoftenfind
iteasiestsimplytoignorethelegitimateinterestsofthevictim.Aconstitutionalamendmentwouldrequirecourtstoengagein
acarefulandconscientiousanalysistodeterminewhetheraparticularvictim'sparticipationwouldadverselyaffectthe
defendant'srights.Theresultwillbeamoresophisticatedandresponsivecriminaljusticesystemthatbothprotectstherights
oftheaccusedandtheinterestsofvictims.Second,effortstosecurevictims'rightsthroughmeansotherthanaconstitutional
amendmenthaveprovedlessthanfullyadequate.
StatementfromAttorneyGeneralJohnAshcroft,DepartmentofJustice,April16,2002:
Thereweremillionsofvictimsofviolentcrimelastyear,buttooofteninthequestforjustice,therightsofthesevictimswere
overlookedorignored.Itistime--itispasttime--tobalancethescalesofjustice,todemandfairnessandjudicialintegritynot
justfortheaccusedbutfortheaggrieved,aswell.IamgratefultomembersoftheCongresswhoareheretoday,andIthankin
particularSenatorsJohnKyleandDianneFeinsteinfortheirworktoprotecttherightsofvictims.Althoughgovernmentcannot
offertheonethingthatvictimswishformost,andthat'sareturntothewaylifewasbeforeviolenceintruded,governmentcan
domorethanithasdoneinthepast.Wecanoffervictimsanewguaranteeofinclusionintheprocessofjustice.Wecanshow
oursupportwiththatofabipartisangroupoflawmakersforaconstitutionalamendmenttoensurethatthevictimsofcrime
havetheirrights,includingtherighttoparticipate,therighttobeheard,andtherighttodecisionsthatconsiderthesafetyof
victims.
4
Marsy’sLaw(AmendmentS)WillNotResultinSignificantCostIncreases
Somepeoplearguethatgivingconstitutionalrightstocrimevictimswillcosttoomuch.Whilethisisaconvenient
argumenttomakewhenpeopleopposesomething,itissimplynottrue…asalreadyprovenbyotherstates.
StatesthathavealreadypassedMarsy’sLaworsimilarconstitutionalrightsforcrimevictimshavealready
proventherearenosignificantcostsassociatedwithMarsy’sLaw.
Marsy’sLawhasnothadsignificantfiscalimpactonprosecutorofficesinstateswhereithasbeenimplemented
orinstatesthathavesimilarconstitutionalrights.ManyoftherightsinMarsy’sLawalreadyexistinstatuteand
manyprosecutorsarealreadyfollowingtherightsoutlinedinMarsy’sLaw.Thenotificationrequirementshave
thepotentialtobemostburdensome,however,thenewStatewideAutomatedVictimInformationand
InformationNotification(SAVIN)systemwillmakethemautomatedsononewemployeeswillneedtobehired.
Moreover,itwillmakeprosecutorsandvictimassistancemoreefficientthaneverbefore.Victimswillsimplybe
abletoregisterforSAVINonlinetoinvoketheirrighttonotification.
Hereiswhatprosecutorsandjudgesfromthosestatessayaboutcostsimpact:
MikeRamos,PresidentoftheNationalDistrictAttorneysAssociation(NDAA)andSanBernardino
CountyDistrictAttorney(CA):WhenelectedtotheNDAAthisyear,Ramos,along-timesupporterofvictims’
rightsandMarsy’sLaw,reaffirmedhissupportofMarsy’sLaw–statingthatpartneringwithfamiliesandvictims
ofcrimethroughMarsy’sLawinCaliforniahasbeenapositivechangeinthestatethatshouldbeembraced
nationwide.Ramossaid,“Peoplethoughtthatifwesupportthisitisgoingtobeterrible-ithasnot,ithasbeen
absolutelytheotherwayaround”.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAgh6EijIGI
DanDowns,SanLuisObispoCountyState’sAttorney(CA)“Concernsraisedduringthe2008Marsy’sLaw
campaigninCaliforniahaven’tmaterializedinSanLuisObispoCounty.Marsy’sLawhasn’tcausedfunding
difficultiesforhisofficelargelybecausevictims’assistancehasbeenapriorityfordecades.”Dowsaid“Ithink
Marsy’srightsareatthecoreofwhataprosecutorisdoingeveryday.Ithelpsustoservevictimsfullyand
completelyineverycase.”
BonnieDumanis,SanDiegoCountyDistrictAttorney(CA),stated:“Duringthestate-wideinitiativecampaignto
passMarsy’sLaw,criticswarnedthatMarsy’sLawwouldfundamentallyalterthecriminaljusticesystemand
overburdencourtresourcestoaccommodatecrimevictimsenforcingtheirrights.Aftermorethanthreeyearsof
experienceinutilizingMarsy’sLawonbehalfofcrimevictims,noneofthoseconcernshavematerialized.”
WilliamMontgomery,MaricopaCountyDistrictAttorney(AZ):says“thateventhoughhisofficeisthe4thlargest
prosecutingofficeintheUnitedStateshandlingmorethan35,000felonycaseseachyear,providingnoticehas
notbeenburdensomeandthathavingcrimevictimspresentinacourtroomhasactuallyassistedinprosecuting
acasebecausetheyareoftenessentialtothetruthseekingfunctionweserve.”
KeithFagundes,KingsCountyDistrictAttorney(CA):statedtheimplementationofMarsy'sLawhasn'tbeena
burdentohisoffice.Hesaidgoodprosecutorsknowspeakingwithavictimregularlyhelpsacase.HesaidMarsy's
Lawdidhelptomaketheexperienceforvictimsmoreuniformacrossthestate,sincenotallprosecutorsthink
thewayhedoesaboutcallingvictims.
5
JoshuaMarquis,DistrictAttorneyClatsopCounty,OregonandBoardMemberoftheNationalDistrictAttorney
Association,stated“Wehavehadenforceablevictims’rightsinOregon’sconstitutionsince2008.Sincethattime
IhaveneitherexperiencednorheardofanyresultingproblemintheadministrationofjusticeinOregoninvolving
theserightsortheenforcementofthem.Quitetothecontrary,thepotentialforenforcementislargelyensuring
compliancewiththerights.Enforcementofrightshasinsignificantlyaddedtotheefficiencyofthecriminal
process.”
TheHonorableGaryPaer,JudgeoftheOrangeCountySuperiorCourtinCalifornia,wrotethefollowingabout
Marsy’sLaw:“Theexercisebyvictimsoftheserightsinmycourtdidnotunderminethefairorefficient
administrationofjustice.Marsy’sLawdoesnotdeny,eithertothestateorthedefendant,theimportantrights
thateachhaveinoursystem.BeforeCaliforniaadopteditsconstitutionalamendmentforenforceablevictim’s
rights,somefearedthatgivingvictimsenforceablerightsmightcausedelay,createadministrativeburdensfor
trialandappellatecourts,causeconflictbetweenprosecutorsandvictims,ordenydefendantstheir
constitutionalprotections.Noneofthesefearshavecometopass.”
VideoofTonyRackauckas,OrangeCountyCADistrictAttorneysupportingMarsy’sLaw:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP8cjPR9-Bw
32StatesAlreadyHaveConstitutionalRightsforCrimeVictims
Marsy’sLawforSouthDakotaispartofanationalefforttostrengthencrimevictims’rightsinthe18stateswhere
therearecurrentlynoconstitutionalrightsforcrimevictims.Thisyear,Marsy’sLawwillbeontheballotinSouth
Dakota,NorthDakotaandMontana.EffortsarealsounderwayinGeorgia,Kentucky,HawaiiandNevada.To
comparestatelaws,visitourinteractivemapathttp://marsyslaw.us/resources/map/
6
WhoDraftedtheModelLanguageforMarsy’sLaw(AmendmentS)?
ThemodellanguagedraftedforMarsy’sLawwasacollaborativeeffortbynotedvictims’rightslegalexperts,law
professors,state’sattorneysandjudgesinconsultationwiththeNationalCrimeVictimLawInstitution.
Section-by-SectionReviewofAmendmentSforSouthDakota
FullTextofMarsy’sLaw(ConstitutionalAmendmentS)withAnnotations/Explanationinbluetext
Section1.ThatArticleVIoftheConstitutionoftheStateofSouthDakotabeamendedbyaddinganewsection
toreadasfollows:
§29.Avictimshallhavethefollowingrights,beginningatthetimeofvictimization:
1.Therighttodueprocessandtobetreatedwithfairnessandrespectforthevictim’sdignity;
Thissectionprovidesdueprocessandfairnessrightstoavictim.Dueprocess,atabareminimum,requires
noticeandanopportunitytobeheardbeforeone’srightsareadverselyeffected.Thisensuresvictimshave
avoice,butnotaveto,inthesystem.
ThissectionalsoincludeslanguagefromtheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActwhichstatesvictimshave
“therighttobetreatedwithfairnessandwithrespectforthevictim’sdignityandprivacy.”(18U.S.C.§
3771Sec.A(8))
2.Therighttobefreefromintimidation,harassmentandabuse;
ThissectionisconsistentwiththeSouthDakotaCrimeVictims’Act(SDCL§23A-28C-1(4)).Marsy’sLaw
wouldstrengthenexistingstatelawbyputtingitintheconstitutionandexpandingittoallvictims-notjust
victimsofcrimesofviolence,stalking,domesticassaultanddrivingundertheinfluence.
3.Therighttobereasonablyprotectedfromtheaccusedandanypersonactingonbehalfoftheaccused;
ThissectionmirrorstheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsAct(18U.S.C.§3771Sec.A(1))anditisconsistent
withexistingstatelaw(SDCL§23A-28C-1(4))whichprotectsvictimsfromintimidationbythedefendant.
Marsy’sLawwouldstrengthenexistingstatelawbyputtingitintheconstitutionandexpandingittoall
victims.
4.Therighttohavethesafetyandwelfareofthevictimandthevictim’sfamilyconsideredwhensettingbailor
makingreleasedecisions;
SouthDakotaCodifiedLaw§23A-28C-1(3)currentlygivessomevictimstherighttotestifyatscheduledbail
orbondhearingsregardinganyevidenceindicatingwhethertheoffenderrepresentsadangertothevictim
orthecommunityifreleased.Marsy’sLawwouldgranttherighttotestifytovictimsofcrimesnotcurrently
includedintheSDCrimeVictims’RightsActandexpandtherighttohavethesafetyandwelfareofthe
victimandtheirfamilyconsideredforallvictims.
5.Therighttopreventthedisclosureofinformationorrecordsthatcouldbeusedtolocateorharassthevictimor
thevictim’sfamily,orwhichcoulddiscloseconfidentialorprivilegedinformationaboutthevictim,andtobe
notifiedofanyrequestforsuchinformationorrecords;
7
Thissectionisalsoconsistentwithexistingstatelaw(SDCL§23A-28C-1(4))whichprotectsvictimsfrom
intimidationbythedefendant.Moreover,thereisnostateorfederalconstitutionalrightofdefendantsto
pretrialaccesstoinformationthatisnotalreadyinthehandsoftheprosecution.Ifthestatedoeshavethe
informationthenBradyobligationsandotherdisclosurelawsapply.Ifprosecutorsdon’thaveinformation
oraccesstoit,thenvictimswouldnothavetoturnitoverunderMarsy’sLaw.Thissectionwouldalsogivea
victimthechancetosaysomeinformationshouldneverbedisclosed,shouldbeputundersealorredacted.
6.Therighttoprivacy,whichincludestherighttorefuseaninterview,depositionorotherdiscoveryrequest,and
tosetreasonableconditionsontheconductofanysuchinteractiontowhichthevictimconsents;
Thissectionpreventsadefendantfromharassingavictimwithdiscoveryrequestsorwideranging
depositionsandforcesthedefendanttoinsteadworkthroughtheprosecutor(getswhateverprosecutor
has)orthecourtonthebasisofrightstofairtrialandtoconfront.Well-settledU.S.Constitutionallawholds
defendantsdonothaveanaffirmativepretrialrighttointerviewordeposevictims.
ThislanguagehasbeenintheArizonaStateConstitutionforovertwenty-fiveyears.
Nothinginthissectionshallabrogateadefendant’sSixthAmendmentrightsundertheUnitedStates
ConstitutionnordiminishtheState’sdisclosureobligationstoadefendant.
7.Therighttoreasonable,accurateandtimelynoticeof,andtobepresentat,allproceedingsinvolvingthe
criminalordelinquentconduct,includingrelease,plea,sentencing,adjudicationanddisposition,andany
proceedingduringwhicharightofthevictimisimplicated;
Thissectionwillallowallvictimsofallcrimesto“optin”andinvoketheirrightstonotification.Thissection
includeslanguagefromtheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActwhichgivesvictims“therighttoreasonable,
accurate,andtimelynoticeofanypubliccourtproceeding,oranyparoleproceeding,involvingthecrimeor
ofanyreleaseorescapeoftheaccused.”(18U.S.C.§3771Sec.A(2))
TheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActalsogivesvictimstheright“tobereasonablyheardatanypublic
proceedinginthedistrictcourtinvolvingrelease,plea,sentencing,oranyparoleproceeding.”(18U.S.C.§
3771Sec.A(4))
Furthermore,theFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActgivesvictimsthe“rightnottobeexcludedfromany
suchpubliccourtproceeding,unlessthecourt,afterreceivingclearandconvincingevidence,determines
thattestimonybythevictimwouldbemateriallyalteredifthevictimheardothertestimonyatthe
proceeding.”(18U.S.C.§3771Sec.A(3)).TheSixthAmendmenttotheUnitedStatesConstitution
guaranteeingtherightsofcriminaldefendantswouldoverrideanypotentialconflictsthatwouldjeopardize
afairtrial.Ifadefendant’sfederalfairtrailrightisatissue,thecourtwouldhavetoexcludesomeone.
However,nocourthaseverfound(andithasbeenlitigated)thatdefendant’sfederalfairtrialrightis
implicatedbythevictim’spresence.Ifthevictimactsout–thenyes,controlofcourtroomwouldcomeinto
playandtheycanbeexcluded.
ThissectionisalsoconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(6)whichgivesqualifyingvictimstheright“tobe
presentduringallscheduledphasesofthetrialorhearings,exceptwhereotherwiseorderedbythejudge
8
hearingthecaseorbycontrarypolicyofthepresidingcircuitjudge;”Marsy’sLawwouldstrengthenthis
rightbyplacingitintheconstitutionandexpandittoallcrimevictims.
SouthDakotalawalsoallowsvictimsofviolentcrimesandtheotherexceptions“totestifyatscheduledbail
orbondhearingsregardinganyevidenceindicatingwhethertheoffenderrepresentsadangertothevictim
orthecommunityifreleased;”SDCL§23A-28C-1(3)
TheSouthDakotaCrimeVictims’Act(SDCL§23A-28C-1(1))includessomenotificationrequirements,but
theyonlyapplytoanarrowdefinitionofvictimandalimitedscopeofcrimesasnotedabove.
SouthDakotalawcurrentlyrequiresvictims“tobenotifiedofscheduledbailhearingsandreleasefrom
custody,tobenotifiedbytheprosecutor'sofficewhenthecaseisreceivedandtowhomthecaseis
assigned,andtobenotifiedinadvanceofthedateofpreliminaryhearingandtrial”.Theprocessof
notificationcanbeaccomplishedbyusingtheStatewideAutomatedVictimInformationNotification(SAVIN)
systemthatwillsoonbefunctional.Undercurrentlaw,onlyvictimsofcrimesofviolenceandafewother
exceptionswillhaveaccesstothenotificationsystem.Marsy’sLawwillgiveallcrimevictimsaccesstothe
newSAVINsystemsoanyvictimwantingtoclaimnotificationrightswouldbeabletoregisterforSAVINand
providetheircontactinformationsotheycanreceivetheautomatednotifications.
8.Therighttobepromptlynotifiedofanyreleaseorescapeoftheaccused;
ThissectionisconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(12),whichrequiresvictims“tobenotifiedofthe
defendant'sreleasefromcustody.Marsy’sLawwouldexpandtheserightstoallcrimevictims.
9.Therighttobeheardinanyproceedinginvolvingrelease,plea,sentencing,adjudication,dispositionorparole,
andanyproceedingduringwhicharightofthevictimisimplicated;
ThisisconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(5)whichgivesvictimstheright“toofferwritteninputintowhether
pleabargainingorsentencingbargainingagreementsshouldbeenteredinto.”Howevercurrentlawonly
grantsthoserightstocertainvictimsofcertaincrimes.
ItisalsoconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(8)whichallowsavictimtoprovidetothecourtawrittenororal
victimimpactstatementpriortosentencingregardingthefinancialandemotionalimpactofthecrimeon
thevictimandhisorherfamilyaswellasrecommendationsforrestitutionandsentencingand
§23A-28-8notwithstanding,therighttoappearatanyhearingduringwhichachangeintheplanof
restitutionistobeconsidered.
Furthermore,itisconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(10)whichgivescertainvictimstherighttoprovide
writteninputatparoleandclemencyhearingsorwithrespecttoclemencybytheGovernor,shouldthose
optionsbeconsidered.Marsy’sLawwouldexpandtheserightstovictimsofallcrimes.
10.Therighttoconferwiththeattorneyforthegovernment;
ThislanguagemirrorstheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActwhichgivesvictimstheright“toconferwiththe
attorneyfortheGovernmentinthecase.”(18U.S.C.§3771(5))
9
ItisalsoconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(2)whichgivescertainvictimstherighttobeinformedofwhat
thechargesmeanandtheelementsnecessaryforconvictionandSDCL§23A-28C-1(7)whichgivesvictims
therighttobepreparedasawitness,includinginformationaboutbasicrulesofevidence,crossexamination,objections,andhearsay.
11.Therighttoprovideinformationregardingtheimpactoftheoffender’sconductonthevictimandthevictim’s
familytotheindividualresponsibleforconductinganypre-sentenceordispositioninvestigationorcompilingany
pre-sentenceinvestigationreportorplanofdisposition,andtohaveanysuchinformationconsideredinany
sentencingordispositionrecommendations;
ThisrightcanbeaccomplishedthroughavictimimpactstatementwhichisalreadypermittedbySDCL§23A28C-1(8)toallowavictimtoprovidetothecourtawrittenororalvictimimpactstatementpriorto
sentencingregardingthefinancialandemotionalimpactofthecrimeonthevictimandhisorherfamilyas
wellasrecommendationsforrestitutionandsentencing.Marsy’sLawwouldexpandthisrighttoallcrime
victims.
12.Therighttoreceiveacopyofanypre-sentencereportorplanofdisposition,andanyotherreportorrecord
relevanttotheexerciseofavictim’sright,exceptforthoseportionsmadeconfidentialbylaw;
UndercurrentSouthDakotalawSDCL§23A-28C-1(14)allowscopiesofreportstobegiventovictimsatthe
discretionofstate’sattorney,oruponmotionandorderofthecourtanditonlyappliestocrimesof
violenceandtheexceptions.Thissectionwouldguaranteeavictim’srighttosuchreports,however,
portionsmaystillbeconfidentialbasedonstateorfederallaw.
Manyotherstatesprovideaccesstosuchreports…Ariz.Const.art.2,§2.1(A)(7)(givingavictimtherightto
reviewthepresentencereportwhenitisavailabletothedefendant);Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann.§13-4425(a
victim’srighttoreviewthepresentencereport“exceptthosepartsexcisedbythecourtormade
confidentialbylaw”);IdahoConst.art1,§22(9)(givingthevictimtherightto“readpresentencereports
relatingtothecrime”),IdahoCode§19-5306(1)(h)(avictimhastherighttoreviewthepresentence
report);Ind.Stat.Ann.35-40-5-6(b)(givingavictimrighttoreadand“respondto”materialcontainedinthe
presentencereport);Or.Rev.Stat.Ann.§137.077(presentencereportmaybemadeavailabletoavictim)
SeealsoColo.Rev.Stat.§24-72-304(5)(affordingtheprosecutorthediscretiontoallowthevictimorthe
victim’sfamilytoseethepresentencereport).
Atthefederallevelthestatutegoverningguardianadlitems(i.e.advocatesforkidswhoactinthechild’s
bestinterest)allowsaccesstoallreportsinthecase-whichincludespre-sentencereports.
13.Therighttothepromptreturnofthevictim’spropertywhennolongerneededasevidenceinthecase;
ThissectionwouldcreateanewrightbecausethereisnosuchrightundercurrentSouthDakotalaw.
14.Therighttofullandtimelyrestitutionineverycaseandfromeachoffenderforalllossessufferedbythevictim
asaresultofthecriminalconductandasprovidedbylawforalllossessufferedasaresultofdelinquent
conduct.Allmoniesandpropertycollectedfromanypersonwhohasbeenorderedtomakerestitutionshallbe
firstappliedtotherestitutionowedtothevictimbeforepayinganyamountsowedtothegovernment;
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ThissectionwouldstrengthencurrentSouthDakotalawbyputtingvictimsfirstinlineforrestitution.Itis
alsoconsistentwiththeFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActwhichstatesvictimshavetherightto“fulland
timelyrestitutionasprovidedbylaw.”(18U.S.C§3771(6))
Currentlawstatesvictimshavearightto“receiverestitution,whethertheconvictedcriminalisprobatedor
incarcerated,unlessthecourtorparoleboardprovidestothevictimontherecordspecificreasonsfor
choosingnottorequireit”.(SDCL§23A-28C-1(9)).
15.Therighttoproceedingsfreefromunreasonabledelay,andtoapromptandfinalconclusionofthecaseand
anyrelatedpost-judgmentproceedings;
ThislanguagemirrorstheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActwhichstatesvictimshave“therightto
proceedingsfreefromunreasonabledelay.”(18U.S.C§3771(7))
16.Therighttobeinformedoftheconviction,adjudication,sentence,disposition,placeandtimeof
incarceration,detentionorotherdispositionoftheoffender,anyscheduledreleasedateoftheoffender,andthe
releaseofortheescapebytheoffenderfromcustody;
Thissectionismostlyconsistentwith§SDCL23A-28C-1(12),whichrequiresvictims“tobenotifiedofthe
defendant'sreleasefromcustody,whichnoticeincludes:
(a)Noticeofthedefendant'sescapefromcustodyandreturntocustodyfollowingescape;
(b)Noticeofanyotherreleasefromcustody,includingplacementinanintensivesupervision
programorotheralternativedisposition,andanyassociatedconditionsofrelease;
(c)Noticeofparole;and
(d)Noticeofpendingreleaseofaninmateduetoexpirationofsentence;
17.Therighttobeinformedinatimelymannerofallpost-judgmentprocessesandprocedures,toparticipatein
suchprocessesandprocedures,toprovideinformationtothereleaseauthoritytobeconsideredbeforeany
releasedecisionismade,andtobenotifiedofanyreleasedecisionregardingtheoffender.Anyparoleauthority
shallextendtherighttobeheardtoanypersonharmedbytheoffender;
ThissectionisconsistentwithSDCL§23A-28C-1(10)whichgivescertainvictimstherighttoprovidewritten
inputatparoleandclemencyhearingsorwithrespecttoclemencybytheGovernor,shouldthoseoptions
beconsidered.Marsy’sLawwouldexpandtheserightstovictimsofallcrimes.
TheFederalCrimeVictims’RightsActgivesvictimstherighttonoticeofanyparoleproceedinginvolvingthe
crimeoranyreleaseorescapeoftheaccused.(18U.S.C.§3771(2))
18.Therighttobeinformedinatimelymannerofclemencyandexpungementprocedures,toprovide
informationtotheGovernor,thecourt,anyclemencyboardandotherauthorityintheseprocedures,andto
havethatinformationconsideredbeforeaclemencyorexpungementdecisionismade,andtobenotifiedofsuch
decisioninadvanceofanyreleaseoftheoffender;and
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Thissectionwillguaranteeavictimortheirfamilywillreceivenoticeandbegiventheopportunityto
providetheGovernortheiropinionbeforeaGovernorcangrantasentencecommutationorother
reductionofsentence.Thissectionisinresponsetosentencecommutationsissuedbygovernorswithout
providingnotificationtovictims’families.Forexample,GovernorSchwarzeneggergrantedacommutation
inthefinalminutesofhistermwherehecutthesentenceofapoliticalfriend’ssoninhalf.Thevictim’s
familywasnotgivenanynoticeoranopportunitytovoicetheiropinionbeforetheGovernorissuedthe
commutation.
19.Therighttobeinformedoftheserights,andtobeinformedthatavictimcanseektheadviceofanattorney
withrespecttothevictim’srights.Thisinformationshallbemadeavailabletothegeneralpublicandprovidedto
eachcrimevictiminwhatisreferredtoasaMarsy’sCard.
Thissectionwillgivevictimstherighttobenotifiedoftheirrights.CurrentSouthDakotalawdoesnot
requirevictimstobenotifiedoftheirrights.Inaddition,thereisnocurrentrighttobeinformedregarding
registrationwiththeStatewideVictimInformationandNotificationSystem(SAVIN).Marsy’sLawwould
requirelawenforcementofficialstogivevictimsa“Marsy’sCard”thatexplainstheirrights,providescontact
sotheyknowwhotocallforhelpandincludesinstructionsonhowtoregisterfortheStatewideAutomated
VictimInformationNotificationsystem.
Thevictim,theretainedattorneyofthevictim,alawfulrepresentativeofthevictim,ortheattorneyforthe
government,uponrequestofthevictim,mayassertandseekenforcementoftherightsenumeratedinthis
sectionandanyotherrightaffordedtoavictimbylawinanytrialorappellatecourt,orbeforeanyother
authoritywithjurisdictionoverthecase,asamatterofright.Thecourtorotherauthoritywithjurisdictionshall
actpromptlyonsucharequest,affordingaremedybyduecourseoflawfortheviolationofanyrightand
ensuringthatvictims’rightsandinterestsareprotectedinamannernolessvigorousthantheprotections
affordedtocriminaldefendantsandchildrenaccusedofdelinquency.Thereasonsforanydecisionregardingthe
dispositionofavictim’srightshallbeclearlystatedontherecord.
Thissectionexplainshowavictim’srightswouldbeenforcedunderMarsy’sLaw.Itsays“uponrequestofthe
victim”soitallowsvictimsto“opt-in”toinvoketheirrights.
ThissectiondoesnotcreateanycauseofactionfordamagesagainsttheState,anypoliticalsubdivisionofthe
State,anyofficer,employee,oragentoftheStateorofanyofitspoliticalsubdivisions,oranyofficeror
employeeofthecourt.
ThetwomainremediesunderMarsy’sLawifrightsarenotenforcedare:
•
•
Iftherightisabouttobeviolated,“stop”–whichcomesintheformofsimplyaskingthecourtto
preventtheviolation;or
A“re-do”ofproceedingsiftherightwasviolated(althoughanythingtowhichjeopardyhas
attachedcannotbedoneover–sotherewouldnotbesecondtrials)
Forexample,ifavictimisnotaffordedhis/herrightstobenotified,present,andheardpriortoapleabeing
acceptedbyacourt,thevictimcanseekreviewoftheentryofpleauntiljeopardyhasattached.Ifinfactthe
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victim’srightswereviolated,thecourtcouldvoidthechangeofpleaandholdthehearingagain.Thecourtcould
ordertheboardtore-doahearing.Nothingaboutthisprocesschangestheprosecutor’sdiscretiontooffera
pleaoreventhecourt’sauthoritytoultimatelyacceptthatpleaandsentence.Itmerelyalterstheprocessto
ensurethatthevictimgetstobeapartofit.
Thegrantingoftheserightstoanyvictimshallensurethevictimhasameaningfulrolethroughoutthecriminal
andjuvenilejusticesystemsandmaynotbeconstruedtodenyordisparageotherrightspossessedbyvictims.All
provisionsofthissectionapplythroughoutcriminalandjuvenilejusticeprocesses,areself-enablingandrequire
nofurtheractionbytheLegislature.
Asusedinthissection,theterm,victim,meansapersonwhosuffersdirectorthreatenedphysical,psychological,
orfinancialharmasaresultofthecommissionorattemptedcommissionofacrimeordelinquentactoragainst
whomthecrimeordelinquentactiscommitted.Thetermalsoincludesanyspouse,parent,grandparent,child,
sibling,grandchild,orguardian,andanypersonwitharelationshiptothevictimthatissubstantiallysimilartoa
listedrelationship,andincludesalawfulrepresentativeofavictimwhoisdeceased,incompetent,aminor,or
physicallyormentallyincapacitated.Thetermdoesnotincludetheaccusedorapersonwhomthecourtfinds
wouldnotactinthebestinterestsofadeceased,incompetent,minororincapacitatedvictim.
Thissectionexpandsthedefinitionof“victim”toincludevictimsofallcrimes,however,itisnotsoexpansivethat
itwouldrequireafundamentalshift.Ifapersonisharmedbyacrimetheywouldhaveasimilarlegalargument
underbothstateandfederallawastheywouldunderMarsy’slaw.TheMarsy’sLawdefinitionessentiallyspells
itout.Tobea“victim”,onemustbeharmed.Thedefinitionof“victim”-asusedinMarsy’sLaw,clearlystatesa
personwhosuffersdirectorthreatenedphysical,psychological,orfinancialharm.Becausethedefinition’s
secondsentencesaystheterm“alsoincludes”theconstructionisstraightforwardthatinordertobea“victim”a
listedrelativeorrelationshipmust“also”“suffer”“directorthreatened”“harm.”Relatives(orrelationships)who
cannotclaimsuchharmareexcluded.Theuniverseofpersonsprotectedisthereforelimited.Otherwisethere
wouldhavebeennoreasontoaddthenextclausewhichincludeslawfulrepresentativesforvictimswhoare
“deceased,incompetent,aminor,orphysicallyormentallyincapacitated.”
AnswerstoFrequentlyAskedQuestions:
Question1.WhydoweneedtoamendtheSouthDakotaConstitution?
Answer:APresidentialTaskForceandU.S.Dept.ofJusticeagreethatconstitutionalrightsarenecessaryfor
crimevictimsandthirty-twostatescurrentlyproviderightstocrimevictimsintheirconstitutiontovarying
degrees.SouthDakota’scurrentstatutorylawsforcrimevictimsarenotclearlyenforceable,makingthem
ineffectiveandweak.Inaddition,theyaretoooftenoverlooked,poorlycommunicatedorevenignored.A
constitutionalamendmentwouldguaranteevictimshaveenforceablerights.Rightsguaranteedbya
constitutionarestrongerthanstatutoryrightsandgrantingconstitutionalrightstovictimswillgivethem
rightsthataremoreequaltotherightsoftheiroffenders.Criminalshaveextensiveconstitutionalrightsand
theirvictimsdeserveconstitutionalrightsaswell.Victimrightswillbetakenmoreseriouslyifelevatedtothe
levelofconstitutionalityandthepublicwillbemoreawareoftherightsvictimshave.IntheUSSupreme
Courtcase,Marburyv.Madison,thecourtwrotethattherecanbenorightwithoutaremedy.
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Question2.HowmuchmoneywillMarsy’sLawcost?
Answer:TherewillbenosignificantcostsassociatedwithMarsy’sLaw.Otherstatesthathavealreadypassed
Marsy’sLaw,orsimilarlaws,provethatitwon’tresultinmajorcosts.TheSAVINnotificationsystemisalready
paidforanditwillbeinplacebeforetheNovemberelection.TheSAVINsystemwillneedtobeexpandedso
thatallcrimevictimswillhaveaccesstoit,however,theone-timecostswillbeminimalandon-goingannual
costsareestimatedtocostlessthan$50,000peryear.ExpandeduseoftheSAVINsystemcouldactually
reducetheburdencurrentlyonvictimadvocatesandmakethesystemmoreefficient.CoststoprintMarsy’s
Cardswouldbeminimal.Infact,greaterawarenessandexpandeduseoftheSAVINsystemcouldactually
reducetheburdencurrentlyonvictimadvocatesandprosecutorsandmakeoursystemmoreefficient.
Question3.CouldMarsy’sLawbeabusedbypeoplewhoclaimtobevictims,butarenot?
Answer:No.Tobea“victim”onemustbeharmed.Marsy’sLawhasbeenineffectfornearlyeightyearsin
Californiaandtheyhavenotexperiencedsuchabuse.Ifsomeoneweretomakeafalseclaimofvictimhood,
thecourtcouldmakeafindingthattheyarenotvictimsandthatwouldstopthemfrominvokinganyrights
underMarsy’sLaw.PeoplehavenomoreopportunitytofalselyclaimvictimhoodunderMarsy’sLawthanthey
doundercurrentlaws.Moreover,thereisabsolutelynodatatoshowincreasingvictims’rightsincreasesthe
instanceoffalsevictimclaims.
Question4.WillMarsy’sLawnegativelyaffecttherightsoftheaccused?
Answer:No.Protectingvictims’rightsdoesnothingtodiminishtherightsoftheaccused.Marsy’sLawwill
elevatevictims’righttotheconstitutiontobeonthesamelegallevelasdefendants’rights.Itensuresthe
rightforvictimstobeheard,tobenotifiedofproceedings,andtobefreefromharassmentthroughoutthe
legalprocess.Thisinnowayinfringesontheexistingconstitutionalrightsoftheaccused.Justascourtshave
knownhowtoaffordboththemedia’sfirstamendmentrightsanddefendant’srighttoafairtrial–sotoowill
acourtknowhowtoaffordtwostateconstitutionalrights.
Question5.WillMarsy’sLawpreventDefendantsfromreceivingdiscovery?
Answer:No.Marsy’sLawwillnotabrogateadefendant’sSixthAmendmentrightsundertheU.S.Constitution
nordiminishtheState’sdisclosureobligationstoadefendant.Defendantswillhaveaccesstodiscoveryfrom
thepoliceortheprosecution,justastheydonow.Thereisnochangeintermsofpoliceandprosecutors
havingaccesstovictimsforinvestigativeinterviews.
Thereisamisperceptionthatdefendantshaveaconstitutionalrighttodeposeawitness–theydonot.The
SupremeCourtandFederalCourtshaveconsistentlyrecognizedthatdefendantshavenopretrialrightto
deposeanonparty(i.e.,victims).Marsy’sLawrecognitionofavictim’srighttorefuseadefendant’sdeposition
requestisarecognitionofthecurrentfederalconstitutionallandscapeandwouldbringourstateintolinewith
themajorityofotherstates.Avictimcan,ofcourse,consenttoadepositionifheorshechooses.Marsy’sLaw
justgivesthatpersonachoice.
Question6.WhataretheremediesunderMarsy’sLaw?
Answer:Thetwomainremediesarea)iftherightisabouttobeviolated,“stop”–whichcomesintheformof
continuancesofhearingsorquashingofsubpoenasordenialsofrequests;orb)a“re-do”ofproceedingsifthe
rightwasviolated(althoughanythingtowhichjeopardyhasattachedcannotbedoneover–sono2ndtrials)
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Question7.HowwillMarsy’sLawaffectbailorders,whichcontainthevictim’saddress,ifitallowsforvictim’s
privacyastolocation?
Answer:Thisisanissueofwhatbestprotectsthevictim.Iftheyfeelmoreprotectedwitharequirementthat
theDefendanthaveclearinstructionsofwheretostayawayfrom,theaddresscanbeincluded.Ifthevictim
feelssaferkeepingtheiraddressanonymous,thenitshouldnotbeonthebailorder.Thevictimwouldhave
therighttoaskthattheiraddressnotbeincludedorperhapstoaskforalargerstayawayareawithout
disclosureoftheiraddress.Theexistenceofarightdoesn’tmeanthatittakesover.Forexample,thevictim
couldsayprotectionrightsareofahigherprioritythanprivacyrightsandiftheonlywayforprotectiontoexist
isfortheaddresstobedisclosedthentheywillhavechosenwhichrighttoexercise.
Question8.Howwillstate’sattorneyofficeshandlethenotificationrequirementforbondhearingsfor
misdemeanorswhenoffenderswillbereleasedinamatterofhours?
Answer:Forcaseswherearrestisgoingtoleadtoquickbondhearinglawenforcement'sinitialnoticeto
victimsatthetimeofanincidentwouldincludenoticethatbondwilllikelyhappenonacertaindateorwithin
acertainamountoftime.ThiscanalsobeexplainedontheMarsy’sCardprovidedtovictims.
Question9.Willthe“broad”definitionof“victim”requiremassiveinvestmentinhumanresourcestomeet
notificationrequirements.
Answer:No.NearlyidenticallanguagehasbeenintheCaliforniaConstitutionforalmost8yearsandithasn’t
resultedinanysignificantfinancialburdenforprosecutors.ThenewSAVINsystemwillmakeallnotifications
automatedanditwon’tresultinsubstantialincreaseinwork-load.ThenewtechnologywillmakeState’s
Attorneyofficesmoreefficient.VictimswillbeabletoregisterforSAVINonlineandtheywon’tevenneedto
talktoaprosecutor.
Question10.Willthedefinitionof“victim”enablefamilymemberstoclaimvictimrightseveniftheyare
sympathetictothevictim?
Answer:No.First,tobeavictim,onemustbeharmed.Inaddition,Prosecutorswillhavethediscretionto
determinewhoavictimis,subjecttoappeal.ThedefinitionsectioninMarsy’sLawalsopreventsfamily
members,oranyoneelse,fromclaimingvictimrightsiftheydonotactinthebestinterestofadeceased,
incompetent,minororincapacitatedvictim.
Question11.Willgivingvictimstherighttorefuseaninterview,depositionorotherdiscoverrequestmakeit
moredifficulttoprosecuteadomesticviolencecase?
Answer:No.Defendantsdon’thavearighttosuchinformationnownordotheyhavearighttointerrogate
victims.ThesamelanguagehasbeenintheArizonaConstitutionforover25yearsandithasn’tbeena
problem.Ifvictimsknowtheycan’tbeinterrogatedorforcedtoprovideinformation,theywillbemorelikely
toreportcrimes.
Question12:Whataretheramifications/consequencesifacountyprosecutoroverlooksorforgetstonotifya
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victimofahearingorchangeincorrectionalstatus.
Answer:Thelawsimplydoesnotcreateacivilcauseofactionfornoncompliancenordoesitcreate
fines.Marsy’sLawwouldcreateproceduralrightsthatcreatetheopportunityfora“doover”ofaproceeding
thatisheldwithoutnoticetothevictim.So,forexample,whathappensatmostisifyouforgettonotifya
victimofahearingorsomeotherproceedingthatproceedingmayhavetobere-donetoaccommodatethe
victim’sright.JurisdictionswithconstitutionalrightssimilartoMarsy’sLawhavehadveryfewexamples
wherehearingshadtoberedone.TheSAVINsystemwillenableprosecutorstomeetnotification
requirementsefficiently.
…MoreSupportFromProsecutorsAroundtheCountry:
IllinoisAttorneyGeneralLisaMadigan"Marsy'sLawforIllinoiswillcompletetheimportantworktoprotect
crimevictimsthattheStatestarted20yearsago.WefullysupportanamendmenttotheConstitutionto
protectvictimsofviolentcrimesandempowerthemwiththerightstheydeserve."AGMadiganleda
coalitionofsupporterstopassMarsy’sLawinIllinoisin2014with78%ofthe
vote.http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/illinois-crime-victims-and-advocates-urge-approval-of-constitutionalamendment-to-enforce-crime-victims-rights-147964075.html
NevadaAttorneyGeneralAdamPaulLexalt“Weareallstronglysupportiveofthislegislation.Itsintentisto
createavictims’billofrightsbyamendingtheNevadaConstitution.”
http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/nevada-ag-praises-tougher-sex-crime-penalties-making-revenge-porn-illegal
http://ag.nv.gov/News/PR/2015/Attorney_General_Adam_Paul_Laxalt_Issues_Statement_on_Marsy%E2%80%99s_Law/
DanLevey-PastDirectorofOfficeofVictimServicesfortheArizona/CurrentDirectorforNational
OrganizationofParentsofMurderedChildren-“InArizona,victims’rightsgohandinhandwiththerights
oftheaccusedandconvictedandtogetherbothhelpensurethatthescalesofjusticearebalancedforall
partiesinvolved.”LetterofsupporttoIllinoisLegislators
NevadaDistrictAttorneysAssociation“Wearehereinsupportofthisresolution…,”statedAssociation
DirectorJohnT.Jones,JrwhentestifyinginsupportofMarsy’sLawduringalegislativehearing.Whenasked
whyitshouldbeputintheconstitution,Mr.Jonesreplied…“Whenyoutalktotheproponentsofthebill,
theywanttoelevatetherightsofvictimstoconstitutionalrights,andIthinkthatisaprettycompelling
argument.”
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Minutes/Assembly/LOE/Final/1078.pdfWatchfullcommitteetestimonyatthis
link:http://nvleg.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=14&clip_id=4121
JoshuaMarquis-DistrictAttorneyClatsopCounty,Oregon/BoardMemberofNationalDistrictAttorney
Association“Providingdignityandrespecttovictimsofcrimethroughtherightsandtheirenforcement
shouldbeoneofthehighestprioritiesofanyjustcriminalprocess.”LetterofsupporttoIllinoisLegislators
KentuckySenatorWhitneyWesterfield“Asaformerprosecutor,I’veseenthesufferingthatcrimevictims
andtheirfamiliesendurefirsthand.IamsponsoringMarsy’sLawbecauseitisonlyfairthatweprovidethe
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sameguaranteedrightstocrimevictimsthatweprovidetothoseaccusedofdoingthemharm.As
lawmakers,itisourmissiontonotonlybringcriminalstojusticebuttomakewholethosewhohavebeen
harmed.”http://www.whitneywesterfield.com/blog/marsyslaw
RobSanders-CommonwealthAttorneyforKeatonCounty,KY“TherightsprovidedbyMarsy’sLaware
commonsense.Kentuckycrimevictimsdeserveequalrights.It’stimeforMarsy’sLaw.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOyUCCKypQQ
TheHonorableLindaAkers-RetiredProsecutorandJudgefromArizona“Asaformerjudgeand
prosecutor,myrolewastoinsurejusticeforall.Itismyopinionthatvictim’srightsareacomponentofa
fairandjustsystemofjusticeandthatgivingvictimsenforceablerightsdoesnotdelay,burden,ordeny
constitutionalprotections.”LettertoIllinoisLegislators
JustinKollar-State’sAttorneyforCountyofKauai,Hawaii“Althoughsomestatutoryrightsforvictims
wereenactedin1987,thoserightsdonotcarrytheweightandforceoftheConstitution.Consequently,
thesestatutesareoftenignoredandvictimsofcrimesarevictimizedagainbythesystemthatissupposedto
providethemjustice.”
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/victims-deserve-equal-protection-voice-in-our-justice-system/article_943afbd4e8c3-11e4-8286-135018481bec.html
ProsecutingAttorneyIncludesMarsy’sLawinre-electioncampaign
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/kollar-ready-for-round-two/article_607ec4ce-33d2-512f-ba446b72699d8b0a.html?mode=jqm
RobertGoodkin–DeputyDistrictAttorneyinOrangeCountyCalifornia“MyexperienceinOrangeCounty
demonstratesthataprosecutorhasnothingtofearfromavictimtowhomthelawgivesenforceablerights.
Thevictimdoesnotbecomeaparty.Ourgoalistoseekjusticeandgivingthevictimsavoiceisanessential
partofjustice.”LettertoIllinoisLegislators
StillHaveQuestions?
Contact:
JasonGlodt
StateDirector
Marsy’sLawforSouthDakota
109S.PierreSt.
Pierre,SD57501
605-494-0186
[email protected]
VoteYesonS!
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