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]

 Respectfully Submitted,

George McClay

Chief of Police

Morrisville Police Department