Marsy’s Law for Idaho: “We Won’t Give Up the Fight”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2018
Media Contact: Todd Dvorak, Strategies 360
(208) 340-6265, [email protected]
Marsy’s Law for Idaho: “We Won’t Give Up the Fight”
BOISE – Marsy’s Law for Idaho says it won’t give up the fight to provide crime victims with equal rights, despite the efforts of a handful of legislators who stood in the way on Monday of delivering a win for crime victims by failing to pass HJR8, a proposed constitutional amendment to strengthen Idaho’s victims’ rights.
“We are grateful to our sponsors, Rep. Brent Crane and Sen. Todd Lakey, victim advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement for their unwavering support to provide crime victims in Idaho with an equal level of constitutional protections,” Jason Arrington, state director of Marsy’s Law for Idaho, said after HJR8 fell 5 votes shy of the two-thirds needed for constitutional amendments.
“Some people just don’t care about equal rights for crime victims, and that’s unfortunate. Even so, we do not intend to give up this fight,” Arrington said. “This will simply make us more focused and committed to come back and work on behalf of victims who deserve to have a stronger voice and rights equal to those of the accused.”
Marsy’s Law for Idaho was written by Idahoans, uniquely crafted to suit the specific needs of the state and would have served as an update to the 1994 Victims’ Rights Amendment approved by 79 percent of Idaho voters. In recent months, the proposed constitutional amendment earned the backing of Idaho prosecutors, law enforcement, firefighters, victim advocates and crime victims in all corners of the state.
The version debated in the House Monday would have provided victims with more protection with the addition of notification in cases when an offender escapes or absconds from probation or parole. It would have given victims the right to confer with prosecutors about the case and would have enshrined those and other rights into the constitution, guaranteeing that victims rights would be on the same level as those afforded defendants.
“As a crime victim, it’s incredibly frustrating to see an effort like this, which would have provided victims with needed protections and rights, fall short,” said Meridian resident Blake Worthington. “My wife, Holly, and I have both seen firsthand how our system for treating crime victims can and should be improved. We will continue, however, to work and make the case for meaningful and significant change.”
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