Marsy’s Law NC reaches new milestone for endorsements

The Marsy’s Law for North Carolina campaign continues to span the state speaking to elected officials and citizens about the need to strengthen victims’ rights – and the legislation currently being considered in the General Assembly that would allow citizens to vote on stronger victims’ rights.

This week brings another milestone for the team – 400 individual endorsements throughout North Carolina as more people learn about the gap facing victims and their families in state law, and how the Marsy’s Law legislation will give the state’s victims of crime equal representation in the eyes of the law that the accused and convicted already have; rights like being informed and heard during the court process as well as being notified during change in custody status.

In addition to the 400 total endorsements, Marsy’s Law for North Carolina has 18 towns and 12 counties that have passed resolutions in support of the legislation and more than 60 sheriffs who have individually endorsed the law.  All of this support comes before the issue has finished its legislative process and been sent to citizens to consider a statewide vote.

“We are proud to stand up for victims’ rights here in Iredell County,” said Statesville City Councilman, William Morgan. Statesville is one of the six communities that have voted in favor of strengthening victims’ rights in North Carolina in the past month.

Recently, voters in other states – including 2017 in Ohio – have supported legislation that formally elevates rights for victims of crimes to equal status as their offenders in state constitutions and guaranteeing victims’ rights by law.

So far in 2018, it’s on the ballot in three additional states: Kentucky, Nevada, and Oklahoma. If it passes North Carolina’s General Assembly this spring session, voters could decide to strengthen victims’ rights during the 2018 elections.