Do you support a constitutional amendment guaranteeing rights to NH crime victims – like the right to know when the person who harmed them is out on bail or the right to be heard in parole hearings?

Across the country, victims’ rights advocates are championing “Marsy’s Law” in their states. The movement, known as “Marsy’s Law for All,” wants to see every state constitution – and eventually the federal constitution – extend enumerated rights to crime victims. New Hampshire is among the states considering amending its constitution to include victims’ rights. Five other states have already adopted some form of Marsy’s Law into their constitutions.

Proposed victims’ rights in NH

The ten rights for victims laid out in CACR 22 are:

• the right to be treated fairly & have their safety, dignity, and privacy protected
• the right to be notified of, and be present at, all court proceedings involving the crime
• the right to be heard in proceedings involving the accused person’s release, parole, etc.
• the right to be protected from the accused
• the right to be notified if the accused is released or escapes
• the right to refuse to be interviewed by the accused person’s lawyer
• the right to full restitution in a timely manner
• the right to have the case concluded promptly
• the right to confer with the prosecutor
• the right to be made aware of all the rights listed above

Support and opposition to Marsy’s Law

Marsy’s law has the support of many in Concord, including Gov. Chris Sununu.

Supporters of CACR 22 feel that adopting Marsy’s Law would make it easier for victims to exercise their rights in court. They say that, even though some of these rights already exist in New Hampshire statute, enshrining them in the state constitution along with the rights of the accused will ensure they are enforced.

Opponents, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Hampshire, worry that this constitutional amendment could violate the rights of the accused. They feel the language is too vague and that adequate victim protections already exist in New Hampshire statutory law.

What do you think? Do you support a constitutional amendment to guarantee rights to NH crime victims? Let us know in the comments below.