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California Victims' Bill of Rights- Marsy's Law
VICTIMS’ BILL OF RIGHTS - MARSY'S LAW
On November 4, 2008 the People of the State of California approved Proposition 9, “The Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008,” also known as Marsy’s Law. Marsy’s Law greatly expanded the rights of victims of crime in the state of California. The California Constitution, Article 1, Section 28, provides certain rights to victims of crimes stated by law. Those rights include:
1. The Right to Fairness and Respect
To be treated with fairness and respect for his or her privacy and dignity, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, and abuse, throughout the criminal or juvenile justice process.
2. The Right to Protection from the Defendant
To be reasonably protected from the defendant and persons acting on behalf of the defendant.
3. The Right to Victim Safety Considerations When Setting Bail and Release Conditions
To have the safety of the victim and the victim’s family considered in fixing the amount of bail and release conditions for the defendant.
4. The Right to Prevention of Disclosure of Confidential Information
To prevent the disclosure of confidential information or records to the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, which could be used to located or harass the victim or the victim’s family or which disclose confidential communications made in the course of medical or counseling treatment, or which are otherwise privileged or confidential by law.
5. The Right to Refuse to be Interviewed by the Defense
To refuse an interview, deposition, or discovery request by the defendant, the defendant’s attorney, or any other person acting on behalf of the defendant, and to set reasonable conditions on the conduct of any such interview to which the victim consents.
6. The Right to Conference with the Prosecution and Notice of Pretrial Disposition
To reasonable notice of and to reasonably confer with the prosecuting agency, upon request, regarding, the arrest of the defendant if known by the prosecutor, the charges filed, the determination whether to extradite the defendant, and, upon request, to be notified of and informed before any pretrial disposition of the case.
7. The Right to Notice of and Presence at Public Proceedings
To reasonable notice of all public proceedings, including delinquency proceedings, upon request, at which the defendant and the prosecutor are entitled to be present and of all parole or other post-conviction release proceedings, and to be present at all such proceedings.
8. The Right to Appear at Court Proceedings and Expression of Views
To be heard, upon request, at any proceeding, including any delinquency proceeding, involving a post-arrest release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue.
9. The Right to a Speedy Trial and Prompt Conclusion of the Case
To a speedy trial and a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post-judgment proceedings.
10. The Right to Provide Information to the Probation Department
To provide information to probation department official conducting a pre-sentence investigation concerning the impact of the offense on the victim and the victim’s family and any sentencing recommendations before the sentencing of the defendant.
11. The Right to Receive Pre-Sentence Report
To receive, upon request, the pre-sentence report when available to the defendant, except for those portions made confidential by law.
12. The Right to Information About Conviction, Sentence, Incarceration, Release, and Escape
To be informed, upon request, of the conviction, sentence, place and time of incarceration, or other disposition of the defendant, the scheduled release date of the defendant, and the release of or the escape by the defendant from custody.
13. The Right to Restitution
A. It is the unequivocal intention of the People of the State of California that all persons who suffer losses as a result of criminal activity shall have the right to seek and secure restitution from the persons convicted of the crimes causing the losses they suffer.
B. Restitution shall be ordered from the convicted wrongdoer in every case, regardless of the sentence or disposition imposed, in which a crime victim suffers a loss.
C. All monetary payments, monies, and property collected from any person who has been ordered to make restitution shall be first applied to pay the amounts ordered as restitution to the victim.
14. The Right to Prompt Return of Property
To the prompt return of property when no longer needed as evidence.
15. The Right to Notice of Parole Procedures and Release on Parole
To be informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender.
16. The Right to Safety of Victim and Public as Factors in Parole Release
To have the safety of the victim, the victim’s family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made.
17. The Right to Information About These Rights
To be informed of the rights enumerated in paragraphs (1) through (16).
For more information on Marsy’s Law, visit the Attorney General’s website or call 877-433-9069.
To obtain information on the Victim Witness Services Program in Mariposa County contact: