HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2018-019 Resolution in support of better protections and safeguards to victimsRES- 2018 -019
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
IN SUPPORT OF BETTER PROTECTIONS AND SAFEGUARDS TO
VICTIMS
WHEREAS, Marsy's Law For North Carolina and advocacy organizations statewide are
dedicated to guaranteeing victims' rights and providing a voice; and
WHEREAS, Marsy's Law For North Carolina supporters agree that victims should
always be treated with fairness and respect throughout the criminal justice process, protected
from the defendant, reasonably heard at public proceedings regarding their case, and given a
voice through the process of the case; and
WHEREAS, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) recent report,
"Crime in the United States ", in 2013, a total of 33,700 North Carolinians were the
victims of Violent "Index Crimes" including: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault,
burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft and arson; and
WHEREAS, Marsy's Law for North Carolina will ensure that victims receive the
same rights that are afforded to criminals, and have rights to notification of release, hearings,
appropriate restitution and the right to speak during criminal proceedings; and
WHEREAS, voters in California passed the Victim's Bill of Rights Act of
2008 [Proposition 9], also known as Marsy's Law, and other states are enacting similar laws;
and
WHEREAS, victims' rights is a non - partisan, non - political issue, and Marsy's Law is one
approach to ensuring victims' rights;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners does hereby stand in support of House Bill 551 /Senate Bill 595, a bill to
amend the Law and Constitution of North Carolina to provide better protections and
safeguards to victims of crimes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
encourages all residents of Orange County, North Carolina, to join in the commitment to
protect the rights of victims of crime in North Carolina.
This 20th day of March, 2018.
Mark Dorosin, C air
Orange County Boar 6 Commissioners