Chowan County’s commission, in Northeastern NC, voted unanimously this month in favor of a resolution to support legislation that will strengthen language in the state constitution giving crime victims an equal level of protections already given to the accused and convicted.

The legislation is part of a two-step process to strengthen rights for North Carolina’s victims of crime – first by passing both chambers of the General Assembly by a ⅗ margin followed by a statewide vote.

It recently passed the state House with overwhelming bipartisan support and now is awaiting a vote in the Senate.  It is expected to be voted on in the Senate early 2018, possibly in time for a statewide vote in the May primary.

Chowan County is the third county in the state to pass a resolution in support of Marsy’s Law and joins a number of other local community governments across the state speaking out in favor of strengthening victims’ rights in North Carolina.

“I believe it’s important for everyone in North Carolina that those who are victims get protection under the law. There are many laws in place to protect the accused, we just need to make sure that victims get the same protection.” said Chowan County Commissioner, Ron Cummings.

In addition, more than half of the state’s sheriffs have endorsed Marsy’s Law as well as dozens of individual local and state elected officials.