Group purses victim rights amendment to Ohio Constitution

COLUMBUS — A group announced plans to pursue a constitutional amendment requiring notifications for victims of all legal proceedings involving the perpetrators of their crimes.

Marsy’s Law for Ohio also would ensure victims’ input into plea deals, notifications of defendants’ releases from prison, and the right to financial restitution for losses caused by criminal acts.

Cathy Harper Lee, executive director of Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center, who is among supporters of the effort, said today the proposed constitutional changes would “clearly articulate ... that victims may assert their rights” and be “treated with fairness, dignity and respect.”

“They are very common-sense things,” she said, adding, “In many, many jurisdictions throughout the state of Ohio, victims’ rights are being ignored.”

Backers of the proposal said submitted their initial paperwork to the attorney general this afternoon. Pending approvals from that office and the state ballot board, the group would have to collect more than 305,000 signatures from registered Ohio voters by early July in order to qualify for the general election in November.