ATLANTA – June 14, 2023 – Ever since the Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights (Marsy’s Law) was passed in 2018, Marsy’s Law for Georgia has been championing a statewide automated victim notification (AVN) system to help facilitate the enforcement of these rights. Marsy’s Law for Georgia is encouraged by last week’s announcement, from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), requesting proposals from contractors to provide a statewide AVN. The RFP closes on Thursday, June 15, with the review process estimated to occur over a two-week period.

ATLANTA - June 6, 2023 - The mother of a child rape victim in Athens has won a positive ruling in an action involving her daughter’s rights under the Georgia Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights, also known as Marsy’s Law. Under the Marsy’s Law Amendment, enacted by Georgia voters in 2018, crime victims have specific, enforceable rights, which include the right to be heard in the judicial process and the right to be notified of proceedings.

At a recent hearing, Superior Court Judge Eric Norris found that “the District Attorney violated the rights of the Movant and the minor victim afforded by the Georgia Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the State of Georgia.”

Sheriff Greg Countryman is a 32-year law enforcement professional. Prior to being elected sheriff in 2020, he served 16 years as elected marshal of Muscogee County, Georgia. Sheriff Countryman is the only person in the history of Muscogee County to ever be elected as both marshal and sheriff. He is also the first African American to hold the Office of the Sheriff since its inception in 1828. Sheriff Countryman is a 21^st-century thinker who believes in serving the community as a whole and leaving an imprint in the minds of those he serves. 

"We worked hard to get this bill passed. Many long days and long nights. Countless hours... I remember many days doing multiple events, going from one end of Georgia to the other end. We worked hard. We fought the good fight." Harralyn Rawls

Communication is key and nothing could be truer during a criminal investigation. Civil Rights Attorney Kianna Chennault of Atlanta has been hired by the family of Richard Collier to prosecute Muscogee County and the state of Georgia due to a “lack of communication from prosecutors.” Seven years ago, Collier was killed at a houseparty in Columbus, Georgia. The suspect, Drevon Johnson, received a deadlock verdict in his first trial in 2019. 

Crystal Matheson, a victim of domestic violence, a beneficiary of Marsy’s Law, and now a victims’ advocate, shared her story in a short interview. She discussed her belief in God, her experiences as a crime victim in the court systems, and how the Crime Victims’ Rights Bill (Marsy’s Law) is changing victims’ lives for the better.

Marsy’s Law for Georgia Advisory Board Member Derek Marchman had the pleasure of speaking with a dedicated group of law enforcement officers at the Georgia Sheriffs' Association Conference on Sex Offender Registry Management at Great Wolf Lodge in LaGrange, Georgia, last month.  

Heap receives a Challenge Coin for her role and support as a victim advocate for the State of Georgia

Georgia General Assembly passes the CRRA bill weeks ahead of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed from April 24-30

The notification package, with complete bipartisan support, will be heard in the Senate Judiciary on Tuesday, March 1.