RESOLUTION NO. _____, SERIES 2017
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A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MARSY'S LAW, WHICH GRANTS CERTAIN RIGHTS TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES.
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SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL PRESIDENT YATES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ACKERSON, AUBREY WELCH, BENSON, BRYANT HAMILTON, BUTLER, COAN, DENTON, ENGEL, FOWLER, FLOOD, GREEN, HOLLANDER, JAMES, JOHNSON, KRAMER, LEET, MULVIHILL, PARKER, PEDEN, REED, SEXTON SMITH, SHANKLIN, STUCKEL, AND WOOLRIDGE
WHEREAS, Kentucky crime victims are currently only protected by a statutory bill of rights;
WHEREAS, Kentucky is one of only 15 states that does not offer its citizens constitutional protection for crime victims;
WHEREAS, the lack of rights for crime victims creates an imbalance of justice for victims already facing tragic loss and/or physical or emotional trauma.
WHEREAS, navigating a complex legal system, which does not protect victims with the same ferocity as it does the accused and convicted, is often re-victimizing; and
WHEREAS, Marsy's Law seeks to correct that imbalance of justice by establishing some key basic constitutional rights for victims of crime such as the right to be heard, the right to notice of proceedings, the right to be present at proceedings, and the right to stand to enforce these rights.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The Louisville Metro Council recognizes and supports Kentucky crime victims and hereby formally endorses Marsy's Law for Kentucky.
SECTION II: The Louisville Metro Council urges the General Assembly to provide constitutional rights for crime victims in our justice system by enacting Marsy's Law at the next General Assembly so the amendments to the Kentucky Constitution may be presented to the voters for ratification in November 2018.
SECTION III: A copy of this Resolution will be sent to the members of the General Assembly.
SECTION IV: This Resolutio...
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