Marsy’s Law For North Dakota Launches Latest TV Ad, “Devastated”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2016
For more information, contact:
Amanda Godfread, [email protected] or 701-222-8721
MARSY’S LAW FOR N.D. LAUNCHES LATEST T.V. AD, “DEVASTATED”
BISMARCK, N.D. — Marsy’s Law for North Dakota, the coalition supporting Measure 3, proudly launched its latest television ad educating voters on the real need for stronger crime victims’ rights. The ad, called “Devastated,” makes this case through Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert. Serving as Sheriff of the second-most populated county in the state since 2006, Heinert has personally seen the negative experiences crime victims have suffered in our state. “Devastated” is a significant ad buy that will be seen statewide to educate and inform voters on the importance of supporting Measure 3, equal rights for crime victims, on the ballot in November.
“I’ve seen innocent people devastated by crime. And when victims are denied equal rights, they are too often victimized, and that’s wrong,” said Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert. “Measure 3, Marsy’s Law, gives crime victims the fundamental rights they deserve. Help me stand up for crime victims. Vote yes on Measure 3 because crime victims deserve equal rights.”
“We are humbled by the overwhelming support Measure 3 has earned from our Sheriffs, specifically Sheriff Heinert, who has helped with this effort from the very start,” said Kathleen Wrigley, chair of Marsy’s Law for North Dakota. “Sheriffs are on the front lines. They see, firsthand, victims and their families as they are thrust into the world of our criminal justice system. Their perspective and expertise are so valuable to this effort.”
Measure 3 is an initiated constitutional measure to elevate crime victims’ rights to the same level of legal guarantees and protections as the rights of accused and convicted criminals. These rights include the right to be heard, the right to be notified of proceedings, the right to be free from harassment and the right to restitution. Under North Dakota’s existing statutory laws, crime victims have too often been overlooked, ignored and even harassed at the hands of the criminal justice system. Phone calls for information have not been returned, crime victims have not been aware of plea agreements, others have been harassed within the system, and even not notified when a convicted criminal was released. As North Dakotans, we deserve better than this.
More than 30 states already have constitutional crime victims’ rights. Measure 3 will bring North Dakota into the 21st century to protect crime victims’ fundamental rights.
For more information, visit www.equalrightsfornorthdakota.com.
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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.