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Ohio's Top Law Enforcement Leader Will Serve As Co-Chair Of Campaign For Victims Rights Amendment

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine
Karen Kasler
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine

Ohio’s top law enforcement official will serve as co-chair for a campaign to pass Issue 1, a proposed constitutional amendment for crime victims on the statewide ballot this fall. 

Attorney General Mike DeWine said some of the features of what’s being called “Marsy’s Law” are already in Ohio’s constitution. But DeWine said it will give crime victims more power. “It will enable a victim to enforce these rights, to go into court to say ‘you’re not following the Constitution,’” DeWine explained.

Among other things, “Marsy’s Law” would require victims be notified when their perpetrator is released from police custody and will require victims be allowed to attend court and parole hearings. The proposal is supported by prosecutors but defense attorneys have questioned whether it might strip away the rights of suspects to get fair and impartial treatment during the judicial process.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Jo Ingles is a professional journalist who covers politics and Ohio government for the Ohio Public Radio and Television for the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau. She reports on issues of importance to Ohioans including education, legislation, politics, and life and death issues such as capital punishment.