FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 4, 2018

Media Contact: Todd Dvorak, Strategies 360

(208) 340-6265, [email protected]

Grassroots Support for Marsy’s Law Grows as Campaign Names Chairmen in all 44 Idaho Counties

BOISE – Marsy’s Law for Idaho is announcing that it’s campaign to establish equal rights for crime victims now has the leadership and commitment from a diverse group of leaders in every county across the state.

The campaign announced Thursday that it has 44 county chairs on board to help build grassroots support for the proposed constitutional amendment. The roster of local-level chairmen includes crime victims, victim advocates, law enforcement leaders, ranchers and college students.

“Marsy’s Law for Idaho is focused on helping crime victims in every corner of the state,” said Rep. Brent Crane, a Republican from Nampa. “We’re pleased to have on-the-ground leaders fanned out statewide and engaged with friends and neighbors on the importance of taking victims’ rights to the next level. This really just adds to the momentum of a campaign that has won the support of law enforcement, legislators and victim advocates.”

Marsy’s Law for Idaho has been endorsed by the Idaho Sheriff’s Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, legislative leaders, the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance, the Idaho Victim Witness Coordinators Association and other nongovernment victim advocacy organizations.

Written by Idahoans for the state’s specific needs, Marsy’s Law would update and build upon the Victims’ Rights Amendment approved by voters in 1994. The version to be introduced in the 2018 Legislature would require victim notification in cases when an offender escapes or absconds probation and parole, give victims the right to confer with prosecutors and put victims’ rights to equal footing with those granted defendants.

Last month, Marsy’s Law for Idaho released the findings of an economic analysis focused on potential costs of implementing the law. Researchers determined the cost would be minimal, estimating the total could reach $553,000 annually. But they also concluded costs would likely be much lower as local government found ways to share resources.

“I’d like to thank those who are volunteering their time and energy on behalf of Idaho crime victims,” said Sen. Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, and legislative champion of the campaign. “Their involvement provides another layer of support at the ground level by individuals who know their communities and are personally committed to protecting and strengthening victim’s rights.”

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ABOUT MARSY’S LAW FOR IDAHO

Marsy’s Law for Idaho is the Idaho chapter of the national advocacy group Marsy’s Law for All, which is dedicated to strengthening victims’ rights. The goal of Marsy’s Law for Idaho is to ensure the right of victims to have an effective voice in the criminal justice process. Victims are the individuals most harmed by crime and are sometimes an afterthought in our system— even though some rights are currently afforded through Idaho’s constitution and statute. A proposed constitutional amendment for victims’ rights, written by and for Idahoans, would not place any significant burden on state employees or those providing victim service support using state funds. Idaho once led the nation on victims’ rights. It was one of the first states to provide rights for crime victims. In November 1994, a state Constitutional Amendment on Victims’ Rights overwhelmingly passed with 79% of the vote. Over twenty years have passed, and more work needs to be done. In 2016, the Idaho Attorney General argued before the Idaho Supreme Court that neither the Idaho Constitution nor Idaho Statutes provided a mechanism to enforce victims’ rights (Mitchell V. State 160 Idaho 81 (2016)). It’s time for victims’ rights to be increased and strengthened in the Idaho Constitution, so Idaho can lead the nation once again.

The list of county chairs for Marsy’s Law for Idaho include:

Ada – Natalie Marti, Savahna Egbert

Adams – Andrea Yoakum

Bannock – Becky Rodriquez

Bear Lake – Sen. Mark Harris

Benewah – Sheriff Dave Resser

Bingham – Susan Nalley

Blaine – Sarah Busden

Boise – Sheriff Jim Kazmarek

Bonner – Charlene Matheson

Bonneville – Coroner Rick Taylor

Boundary – Sheriff Dave Kramer

Butte – Hootie Langseth

Camas – Sheriff Dave Sanders

Canyon – Sylvia Flores, Aleshea Boals

Caribou – Sheriff Kelly Wells

Cassia – Kade Craner

Clark – Richard Savage

Clearwater – Sheriff Chris Goetz

Custer – Sheriff Stu Lumpkin

Elmore – Kathleen Schipani

Franklin – Theodora Petterborg

Fremont – Sheriff Len Humphries

Gem – Coroner John Buck

Gooding – Chandi Hall

Idaho – Coroner Cody Funke

Jefferson – Richard Savage

Jerome – Laurie Lickley

Kootenai – Craig Smith

Latah – Zoe Cooley, Lauren Busden

Lemhi – Sheila Dodd

Lewis – Rebecca Crea

Lincoln – Rebecca Wood

Madison – Koty Cook

Minidoka – Jeremy Anderson

Nez Perce – Sheriff Joe Rodriquez

Oneida – Coroner Brad Horsley

Owyhee – Sheriff Perry Grant

Payette – Megan Waddell

Power – Sheriff Jim Jeffries

Shoshone – Lee Haynes

Teton – Becky Clayton

Twin Falls – Mya Goodman

Valley – Coroner Scott Carver

Washington – Coroner Bowe Van Brethorst