Newton Aldermen learned about a measure to enshrine victim’s rights into the Mississippi constitution from a guest at their regular board meeting Tuesday.
Matthew Hebb, state director for Marsy’s Law for Mississippi, the organization sponsoring the victim’s rights amendment, spoke to the board about Marsy’s Law and asked them to support the initiative.
“What this would do is take existing victim’s rights, clarify them, strengthen them and move them over to the constitution, so the victim has equal standing with that of the accused,” Hebb said.
Marsy’s Law was introduced in the 2019 legislative session, Hebb said, but it did not pass. Since then, he and other have been gathering support from cities, counties and towns throughout Mississippi with the hope of getting the bill passed in the upcoming 2020 legislative session.
“What’s been happening has been really overwhelming. We got this close through the legislature last time, and it looks like this time we’re going to make it through there,” he said. “It will be on the ballot in 2020.”
Marsy’s Law would amend the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 to include the rights of victims as well as those of the accused. Under the amendment, victims would have the right to be present and be heard at public hearings involving the accused, be protected from retribution, be notified if the person who hurt them escaped and have the right to be informed of their rights as victims.
“Really we’re here to just raise awareness, hopefully get your folk’s support, but also answer any questions about it,” Hebb said.
For more information about Marcy’s Law, visit victimsrightsms.com or follow the organization of Facebook or Twitter, @MarsysLawforMS.
