This is a follow-up to our prior e-alert regarding Marsy’s Law. In case you missed it, I am resending this information with an urgent request: Please let me know of any upcoming event(s) in September and October that we can attend to promote and inform citizens on this bill.
Victims of crime in Maine deserve rights they don’t currently have.
Marsy’s Law has been introduced in Maine, and we need your help to convince legislators and voters in our state of its necessity. This law would place an amendment in the Maine Constitution stating exactly what rights are available to victims of crime.
In order to accomplish this, we must get the bill passed in the Legislature. Then, it would be placed on a ballot to be voted on by Maine citizens. For this to happen, we are looking for you and others, who are victims of crime, to tell your stories about how the perpetrator was advised of his rights, but you, the victim, had none.
We need the legislature to vote at least 2/3rds majority in favor of Marsy’s Law so it may qualify to be placed on a ballot for the 2018 election. Then, all that is needed from the voters is a simple majority to pass.
Click here for more information on the Maine Legislature’s website regarding L.D. 1168.
“RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine To Establish a Victims’ Bill of Rights”
Take Action:
- Write your story and share it with legislators and others, including me.
- Inform me of any events we can attend to promote Marsy’s Law.
- Click here to find both your Senate and House members’ names and contact information. Let them know you support Marsy’s Law, L.D. 1168 and explain why. Let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of Maine.
- Pass this information on to friends and family and ask them to participate.
Pray: Please pray for the success of Marsy’s Law to help victims of crime. Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.”
Summary of Bill: This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to enact a Victims’ Bill of Rights, designed to ensure specific rights for victims of crime. The purpose of this resolution is to place into the Constitution of Maine various rights regarding notification of public proceedings at which the victim has a right to be heard, the right to confer with the prosecution and the right to prompt and full restitution. This resolution requires a court to grant a request by the victim to enforce the rights of the victim and to provide a remedy for violations of the victim’s rights, including the appeal of a sentence. This resolution does not provide a victim a cause of action for compensation or damages against the State or a political subdivision of the State, including the courts, or any officer, employee or agent of the State or a political subdivision of the State.
To view other victim’s testimonies, click here.
View Marsy’s Law’s website here: https://marsyslaw.us/marsys-law-state-efforts/maine/
Thank you for helping Concerned Women for America of Maine empower victims of crime to receive the rights they are entitled to by sharing your story and by educating lawmakers and voters on the necessity of this law.
Penny Morrell
State Director
CWA of Maine
director@maine.cwfa.org
(207) 465-6015
https://concernedwomen.org/state/maine