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Pennsylvania Marsy’s Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment (2019)

Tue, November 5th, 12:00AM


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The Pennsylvania Marsy’s Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment is on the ballot in Pennsylvania as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 5, 2019.

A “yes” vote supports this measure to add specific rights of crime victims, together known as a Marsy’s Law, to the Pennsylvania Constitution.
A “no” vote opposes this measure to add specific rights of crime victims, together known as a Marsy’s Law, to the Pennsylvania Constitution.

What would this ballot measure change?

The ballot measure would add a section addressing crime victims’ rights to the Pennsylvania Constitution Declaration of Rights. The proposed language is modeled on Marsy’s Law, a type of constitutional bill of rights for crime victims.[1][2]

The ballot measure would provide crime victims with specific constitutional rights, including a right to:[1][2]

  • be treated with fairness and respect for the victim’s safety, dignity, and privacy;
  • proceedings free from unreasonable delay and a prompt and final conclusion of the case;
  • have the safety of the victim and victim’s family considered when setting the bail amount and release conditions for the accused;
  • reasonable and timely notice of public proceedings involving the criminal conduct;
  • be present at public proceedings involving the criminal conduct;
  • be heard at proceedings where a right of the victim is implicated, including release, sentencing, and parole proceedings;
  • receive notice of any pretrial disposition of the case, with the exception of grand jury proceedings;
  • provide information to be considered before the parole of the offender;
  • reasonable protection from the accused and those acting on the behalf of the accused;
  • reasonable notice of the release or escape of the accused;
  • refuse an interview, deposition or other discovery request made by the accused;
  • full and timely restitution from the person or entity convicted;
  • the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence;
  • and confer with the government’s attorney.

The ballot measure would define crime victim as a person against whom a criminal offense or delinquent act was committed and who was directly harmed by the offense or act.[1][2]