Have you exercised your Marsy's Law rights as a victim of crime in South Dakota? Please share your story to help support equal crime victims' rights. You can learn more about your rights here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, March 23, 2020

CONTACT:

Nick Klitzing, K2 & Co.

618-322-1514, nk@k2andcompany.com

Marsy’s Law denounces ACLU’s call to commute sentences and release prisoners without consideration for victims’ rights

For Immediate Release

November 8, 2016
Contact: Gail Gitcho
gail@marsyslaw.us

BOZEMAN, MT – Marsy’s Law For All announced tonight that Marsy’s Law has been passed overwhelmingly in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. Crime victims in these states now have rights that are protected by their respective state constitutions. These states join California and Illinois, that have passed Marsy’s Law, which provides for a Constitutional Bill of Rights to counterbalance the rights of the accused or convicted in the criminal justice system.

Angela was married to a man from 1989 to 1992 who controlled her every move. The abuse began before marriage and continued after divorce. She was tortured both physically and mentally. Her physical scars have since healed but the emotional ones will probably always be with her. Angela was eventually able to gain her freedom, however, her abuser’s next victim was not so lucky.

Jessica grew up in a very small South Dakota town where she was sexually abused throughout her childhood. She was also a victim of human trafficking. After charges were filed, Jessica’s privacy was violated when the judicial system disclosed information about her identity even though she was a juvenile. She was the only 15-year-old girl in the town where she lived and where everybody knew each other. Once her privacy was shattered, she was harassed to the point where she became suicidal. Marsy’s Law, Amendment S, would have given Jessica a constitutional right to privacy that would have helped protect her.

Four years ago, Andrea was raped. She reported the crime to the police and went to the hospital for care. Thereafter, she was never informed of the status of her case. She was never told if her rapist was released from jail or even arrested. A short time later, during a trip to the grocery store, she came face-to-face with her rapist. Andrea had to relive her victimization. 

Our campaign to strengthen and expand rights for crime victims in South Dakota continues to gain momentum. On December 22^nd, the Secretary of State validated and certified our petition signatures which qualifies our amendment to be placed on the November 8^th General Election ballot.

Marsy’s Law for South Dakota Campaign Files over 45,000 Petitions to Place
Constitutional Amendment on the Ballot to Give Equal Rights to Crime Victims

Marsy’s Law for South Dakota, an organization composed of citizens and victim rights advocates, announced today that it has officially filed petitions to place an initiated constitutional amendment on the November 8, 2016 General Election ballot for consideration of the voters.