Tennessee Voters Approve Marsy’s Law in Historic Election

Measure provides equal rights for crime victims; law now covers 137 million Americans

Voters in Tennessee have amended their state constitution to include Marsy’s Law, a victims’ rights initiative that guarantees crime victims the same constitutional protections afforded to the accused and convicted. Tennessee now joins 12 other states, including Kentucky, Wisconsin, Nevada, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, and California. Passing Marsy’s Law in Tennessee means over 40% of Americans now live in states where they can assert rights in the criminal justice system. 

The statewide voter-approved amendment will provide Tennesseans with meaningful, enforceable rights if they should ever become the victim of a crime. Those rights include: 
●    The right to be notified of public criminal and juvenile delinquency proceedings;
●    The right to be present at those proceedings;
●    The right, upon request, to confer with the prosecution;
●    The right, upon request, to be heard at proceedings involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, and parole of the accused;
●    The right to timely restitution.

“We are elated at the level of support Amendment 3 has received,” said Dr. Henry T. Nicholas, Marsy’s Law for All Founder and Chairman. “Crime victims should have an equal voice in the process. No one plans to be a victim, and the passage of Amendment 3 assures those victims of enforceable rights at what, often, is the worst time of their life.”

“My family was forever changed by the murder of my sister, Marsy, back in 1983”, he continued. “Going through the criminal justice process as a victim was a difficult experience, during which we quickly realized the need for stronger rights for victims of crime. This tremendous victory really demonstrates the importance that voters place in the cause of victims’ rights.”

“Tennessee voters have prioritized the safety and dignity of crime victims,” Marsy’s Law For Tennessee State Director Bonnie Brezina added. “We want to thank the legislature for passing the bipartisan bill and all of our supporters, including law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and the countless victims who supported Marsy’s Law publicly and privately.”

Marsy’s Law for All Fast Facts 
●    In 2008, with 54%, Marsy’s Law passed and became law in California.
●    In 2014, voters in Illinois passed Marsy's Law by a resounding 78%, one of the largest constitutional votes in Illinois history.
●    In 2016, voters in North Dakota (62%) and South Dakota (60%) overwhelmingly passed Marsy’s Law in their states.
●    In 2017, Ohio voters passed Marsy’s Law by an incredible 83%. 
●    In 2018, Marsy’s Law succeeded in five states: Georgia (80%), Oklahoma (78%), North Carolina (62%), Florida (62%), and Nevada (61%).
●    In 2020, Marsy’s Law passed in Wisconsin (75%) and Kentucky (63%).
●    Marsy’s Law for All is active in a number of other states across the country that still don’t provide an equal voice for crime victims. 

About Marsy’s Law

Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas of California, who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. Only one week after her death, Marsy’s mother and brother, Henry T. Nicholas, walked into a grocery store where they were confronted by the accused murderer. The family, who had just come from a visit to Marsy’s gravesite, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. In an effort to honor his sister, Dr. Nicholas has made it his mission to ensure victims of crime have constitutional rights and protections in every state. He formed Marsy’s Law For All in 2009 to pass those rights and provide subject matter expertise to service providers and stakeholders within the criminal justice process.

For more information on Marsy’s Law for All, please visit: www.marsyslaw.us.