Marsy’s Law for Nevada Advisory Board Unites to Discuss Victims’ Rights Statewide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2020

CONTACT:

Creative Vision PR

Kim Schofield/(702)528-4199

Deborah Clayton/(702)528-7940

[email protected]

 

Nevada – Community leaders and law enforcement officials from across Nevada united Wednesday for the first meeting of the Marsy’s Law for Nevada Advisory Board. Representatives include the Attorney General’s office, Probation and Parole, Nevada Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, District Attorneys, community leaders, non-profits and advocacy organizations. The goal of the Advisory Board is to support the implementation process, share best practices and information among agencies statewide, and identify challenges as the requirements of Marsy’s Law for Nevada reach into the second year as Constitutional rights.

Marsy’s Law for Nevada was approved by a majority of voters in 2018 and took effect in January 2019. Thanks to the overwhelming support, our state Constitution requires that victims of crime be more informed, properly protected, respectfully considered, and given a reasonable voice through the judicial process, from reporting a criminal offense to a first responder, through the release of a convicted person from prison or supervision.

“Marsy’s Law for Nevada appreciates the dedication, and commitment of service to our community and crime victims provided by our state’s Attorney General, law enforcement and district attorneys, along with other community leaders. Their participation in the new Marsy’s Law Advisory Board shows their dedication to the critical implementation phase that ensures victims receive the rights they deserve by law,” says Lynda Tache, State Director of Marsy’s Law for Nevada.

The Marsy’s Law for Nevada Advisory Board will meet every other month with elected officials, community leaders and stakeholers to exchange information and promote best practices across statewide jurisdictions regarding timely matters dealing with our law enforcement and legal communities and victims of crime. The first meeting today was held via video conference, to allow for social distancing and busy schedules in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Marsy’s Law includes the:

* Right to receive information about the services available to crime victims

* Right to be treated with fairness and respect throughout the criminal justice process

* Right to be protected from the defendant

* Right to be notified of the impending release of the defendant

* Right to notice of all public proceedings in the case

* Right to be reasonably heard, upon request, at all public proceedings regarding the case

* Right to reasonably confer with the prosecuting agency, upon request, regarding the case

* Right to full and timely restitution

 

####

History of Marsy’s Law

The effort is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in California in 1983. A week later he was released pending his court proceedings and went face to face with the victim’s family, who had no idea he was out of jail. Today her brother works to secure a voice and protection for victims and their families, nationwide.

For more information on Marsy’s Law for Nevada, visit www.MarsysLawforNV.com