North Carolina Conference of DAs partners with Marsy’s Law for All to develop law enforcement training tool
Prosecutors and victims’ rights advocates work together to implement constitutional amendment
RALEIGH, N.C. – One hundred North Carolina sheriffs and 365 chiefs of police now have a new training tool in their belts thanks to efforts by the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys in partnership with Marsy’s Law for All.
State prosecutors and the victims’ rights group partnered to produce a roll call video designed to provide guidance and clarify law enforcement’s responsibilities under newly implemented Marsy’s Law, the state constitutional amendment to strengthen victims’ rights. The video, which features Carteret County Sheriff Asa Buck and District Attorney Susan Doyle of Prosecutorial District 13 (Johnston County), includes an overview of changes made by Marsy’s Law and explains updated responsibilities of law enforcement. It has been distributed to nearly 500 law enforcement officers across the state.
Conference Director Peg Dorer said, “We are grateful to Marsy’s Law for its support in producing and distributing the roll call video, and anticipate it will be an incredibly valuable tool for law enforcement as they work to incorporate Marsy’s Law changes and continue to serve victims.”
“It was great to work with the Conference and create the roll call video for law enforcement,” said Scott Laster, managing partner at Kairos Government Affairs and state director for Marsy’s Law for North Carolina. “They’ve been a great partner as we’ve worked to pass and now implement Marsy’s Law in our state.”
Marsy’s Law was approved overwhelmingly by North Carolina voters on the ballot in 2018 and took effect September 2019. North Carolina is among 13 states that have afforded victims constitutionally protected rights and several more are currently pursuing this goal.
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 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 grave, was unaware that the accused had been released on bail. After their experience, they formed Marsy’s Law for All in 2009, providing expertise and resources to victims’ rights organizations nationwide.
About the Conference of District Attorneys
The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys was established as a state agency in 1983 “to assist in improving the administration of justice in North Carolina by coordinating the prosecution efforts of the various district attorneys, by assisting them in the administration of their offices…” The agency consists of and is governed by elected district attorneys and has a staff in Raleigh to carry out their goals and objectives. Primary responsibilities of the Conference include, but are not limited to, the following: prosecution support, executive development, research, and public outreach.
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