Reject Marcy’s Law Amendment — Marcy’s Law, a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution, is on the ballot Nov. 5.
The amendment claims to give crime victims “rights” and is being supported by actor Kelsey Grammer and various politicians.
It’s wording is:
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to grant certain rights to crime victims, including to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity; considering their safety in bail proceedings; timely notice and opportunity to take part in public proceedings; reasonable protection from the accused; right to refuse discovery requests made by the accused; restitution and return of property; proceedings free from delay; and to be informed of these rights, so they can enforce them?
Sounds nice. Vote against it.
The respected PrinceLaw.com has an excellent explanation as to why.
The most obvious reason is the question as to why we need a difficult-to-change constitutional amendment when the issue could be addressed with far more flexibility via a statute.
The most significant reason is that the proposed amendment puts the accused in the category of criminal and cements the accuser as the victim. Not all accused are guilty. Not all accusers tell the truth. That’s why we have trials.
The most subtle reason is ballot questions are limited to 73 words but the actual amendment is 500 words and creates 15 new “rights”.
Buying something unseen is always unwise.
The clincher is the amendment is being backed by Bloomberg money. Is this going to be a gun grab?
Say no to Marcy’s Law.
Reject Marcy’s Law Amendment
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