As lawmakers return to the Capitol in early January for committee meetings, a Senate panel will look at a newly approved constitutional amendment designed to expand the rights of crime victims.
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled a workshop Jan. 7 about Amendment 6, which became widely known as the “Marsy’s Law” amendment. The measure received support from 61.6 percent of voters in the Nov. 6 election, clearing a 60 percent threshold needed for passage.
The amendment included a series of rights for crime victims, including the right to be notified of major developments in criminal cases and the right to be heard in legal proceedings.
The proposal was part of a national movement that stems from the 1983 death of a California woman, Marsy Nicholas, who was stalked and killed by an ex-boyfriend. Marsy Nicholas’ brother, Henry, is the co-founder of Broadcom Corp. and has spearheaded the Marsy’s Law effort.
The Criminal Justice Committee workshop is expected to include representatives of the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Florida Public Defender Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the state courts system and the group Marsy’s Law for Florida.
