FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2017  ***MEDIA ADVISORY***

The Carlin, Nevada Police Chief has joined colleagues from across the Silver State to endorse Marsy’s Law for Nevada. Dennis Fobes took over as Police Chief in 2015. He began his career in law enforcement in 2004, and comes from a long line of public safety professionals in Elko and Carlin. His father, Gordon Fobes, was Chief of the Elko Police Department. We appreciate the family’s dedication to community safety. Marsy’s Law for Nevada has a very similar goal; to keep good citizens safer and informed.

Chief Fobes joins a growing list of law enforcement leaders, civic leaders, victims, assistance groups and citizens across Nevada who are voicing their support for Marsy’s Law for Nevada. This measure will simply guarantee a victim of crime the consideration and voice they deserve throughout the judicial process. Marsy’s Law has secured two consecutive approvals from Nevada lawmakers in 2015 and 2017. Residents of Nevada will have the right to vote on the question in November 2018.

Equal Rights for Nevada Crime Victims.  It’s just fair.

#VictimsRightsNV              

SJR 17 would ensure the:

• Right to receive information about the services available to crime victims
• Right to be treated with fairness and respect throughout the criminal justice process
• Right to be protected from the defendant
• Right to notice of all public proceedings in the case
• Right to be reasonably heard, upon request, at all public proceedings regarding the case
• Right to reasonably confer with the prosecuting agency, upon request, regarding the case
• Right to full and timely restitution 

History of Marsy’s Law

The effort is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in California in 1983. A week later he was released pending his court proceedings and went face to face with the victim’s family, who had no idea he was out of jail. Today her brother, Dr. Henry T. Nicholas is working to secure a voice and protection for victims and their families, nationwide. Marsy’s Law measures have already passed in Illinois, California, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. 

Senate Joint Resolution 17/Marsy’s Law        

SJR 17 was first approved by Nevada state lawmakers in 2015 and again in 2017 as required by Nevada law for a constitutional amendment. Marsy’s Law for Nevada will now go to a vote of Nevada residents in 2018 as a ballot question.