National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: Marci Lopes

National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: Marci Lopes

– Hawaii Public Radio, By Beth-Ann Kozlovich and Chris Vandercook

Should crime victims have a bill of rights? Many states have already said yes to that question and passed what’s known as Marsy’s law, named for the victim of a violent crime in California. But Hawaii is 1 of 18 to not guarantee rights to victims. Those rights would include receiving information and notifications about cases and to be present and give input during court proceedings. That would have changed had Senate Bill 679 passed this session.  The measure would have included a victim’s rights amendment on the 2016 ballot. With today’s start of National Crime Victims Rights Week, a coalition of local organizations is already at work for next session. Marci Lopes is the Executive Director of Marsy’s Law for Hawaii and she joined us in our studios.

Please click here to listen to Lopes’ interview with Hawaii Public Radio.