Clark County Legal Experts Join Advocates, Lawmakers & Citizens to Stand Up for Crime Victims
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2017
Contact: Barry Duncan 702-595- 3166
Clark County Legal Experts Join Advocates, Lawmakers & Citizens to Stand Up for Crime Victims
Victims deserve a voice. As the legislative session approaches, Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo and District Attorney Steve Wolfson are joining forces, and the growing list of statewide civic leaders and assistance organizations, to speak out in favor of Senate Joint Resolution 17/Marsy’s Law for Nevada. SJR 17 represents the first major crime victim’s rights effort in the Silver State in 20-years. It would also represent citizens across Nevada who are targeted by criminals.
Nevada is currently one of 15 states with no Constitutional Amendment protecting victims. Lombardo and Wolfson agree, we need to remove Nevada from this list. A murderer should not have more rights in the eyes of the law than the victim, and in the words of Clark County Sheriff Lombardo, “…a victim should not be victimized twice, they deserve to be informed and given a voice,” during every part of their case. Thanks to the work of caring advocates over the years Nevada currently has statutory laws to benefit victims. Those laws would be elevated with SJR 17/Marsy’s Law for Nevada, which would create a constitutional amendment to guarantee victim’s rights. Already strongly approved in 2015, it comes to the 2017 session, and then a vote of the people in 2018.
In the words of Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, “Victims from any jurisdiction, whether it be the small rural towns with a few hundred people, scattered throughout Nevada, or Las Vegas’ population of over two million residents, deserve to be protected and heard throughout the prosecution of the person who victimized them,” says Wolfson. See the comments of Sheriff Lombardo and District Attorney Steve Wolfson at these links:
Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo – https://youtu.be/bEmFpsKdvjQ
Clark County DA Steve Wolfson – https://youtu.be/Hy2bVBKatqY
These legal and law enforcement leaders in Clark County are uniting with a list of prominent advocacy groups, civic leaders, citizens and law enforcement leaders across Nevada who also believe it’s time to even the scales of justice for victims. Endorsements just keep flowing in statewide and include: Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson, Clark County/LVMPD Sheriff Joe Lombardo, Attorney General Adam Laxalt, the NV Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Association, North Las Vegas Police Chief Alex Perez, Mesquite Police Chief Troy Tanner, Douglas County Sheriff Ron Pierini, Lyon County Police Commander Rob Hall, Eureka County Sheriff Keith Logan, Carson City Police Under-Sheriff Steve Albertsen, Henderson Police Captain Wade Seekatz, Lincoln County Sheriff Kerry Lee, LVMPD Retired Sheriff Doug Gillespie, Police Protective Association in Las Vegas, Asian Pacific Police Officers Association in Southern Nevada, Black Police Officers Associations of Southern Nevada, NV Association of Public Safety Officers, and many more.
Advocacy groups across Nevada are also signing on for SJR 17. Members of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence, Safe House, Safe Nest, Tu Casa Latina, and many more understand the value of this measure, first hand, and are actively helping spread the word about Marsy’s Law for Nevada.
They are joined by community leaders, city and county politicians, and thousands of citizens calling for protection for victims.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES for this Measure that IMPACTS ALL CITIZENS OF NEVADA
As we approach the opening of the Nevada Legislative Session, we are happy to assist with your story set-up as needed. We will also be sending out updates on legislative actions on this measure. This is certainly one of those wide-reaching measures worthy of coverage and consideration, as it could impact every citizen in the state of Nevada, since any one of us could all be a victim of crime on any given day. We will also update actions on the Marsy’s Law for Nevada Facebook page, and website.
About 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.
Seven states along with Nevada are currently considering passage of Marsy’s Law to ensure equal rights for crime victims.
Marsy’s Law for Nevada / Senate Joint Resolution 17
As a constitutional amendment, Marsy’s Law for Nevada must secure Legislative approval in two consecutive sessions, and then the measure will go to a vote of Nevada residents. SJR 17 won its first approval in the 2015 Legislature. The 2017 marks its second round of consideration by lawmakers.
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
Marsy’s Law for Nevada Media Information
We invite media to contact us for interviews about Marsy’s Law. See additional information about the Victim’s Rights measures in Nevada and other states at www.marsyslaw.us, on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contacts:
Marsy’s Law for NV / SJR 17
Barry Duncan, State Director
702-595-3166
Kim Schofield & Deborah Clayton
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Marsy’s Law is named after Marsalee “Marsy” Nicholas. Marsy was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983.
Dr. Nicholas has made it his mission to give victims and their families across the country constitutional protections.