ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott spoke Tuesday morning with other state leaders in favor of a proposal that would put a victims’ bill of rights in the state Constitution.
Marsy’s Law also known as Proposal 96 would require victims to be told their rights and services available to them.
The Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) is proposing the measure.
Proposal 96 would also add updates on criminal proceedings and meetings with state attorneys before plea deals are handed out. It also updates the rights of victims to attend and speak during court proceedings.
Marsy’s Law law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Lee, who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. A website on behalf of the initiative says a week after Lee was murdered her parents went into a grocery store and confronted by the accused murderer, who had been released on bail. The parents did not know because the California courts and law enforcement did not have an obligation to keep them informed.
Scott joined State Sens. Lauren Book and Darryl Rouson along with CRC Commissioners Tim Cerio and Belinda Keiser. Justice Coalition executive director Michael Liles also attended with victims.
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