Victims' Rights Advocates Visit Lawton

For Immediate Release

August 2, 2018

Media Contact: Alex Weintz; [email protected] or (405) 518-5135

LAWTON -- The campaign to support State Question 794, also known as Marsy's Law, was in Lawton today, meeting with patrons of Viridian Coffee and advocating for support of enhanced victims' rights in Oklahoma. 

Campaign volunteers and staff offered complimentary coffee and pastries and talked about the need to improve the criminal justice system, which can often lead victims of crime feeling ignored, voiceless and lost in the process. 

Several community members, including active duty servicemen and their families, dropped by the meet-and-greet, with some leaving with Marsy's Law t-shirts, bumper stickers, and lapel pins.

Marsy's Law for Oklahoma State Director Kim Moyer said she enjoyed her visit to Lawton and appreciated the opportunity to speak with the community about SQ 794  

"I think this is a community that really cares about how people are impacted by crime," said Moyer. "The voters I talked to want accused criminals to have due process and a fair trial, but they don't want the victims to get lost in that process. State Question 794 is about making sure we respect those victims and give them the Constitutional rights and protections they deserve." 

More on State Question 794 

On November 6, 2018, Oklahomans will vote on State Question 794, which amends the Oklahoma Constitution to guarantee certain rights for victims, survivors, and their families or guardians.  

If SQ 794 passes, there will be a requirement to notify victims and families that they have Constitutionally protected rights. They will be notified at each important stage of the criminal justice process: arrest, bonding, trial, and sentencing. They would also be notified of the defendant’s release or escape from custody, and be consulted with before a decision is made concerning a plea agreement, deferred prosecution agreement or diversion agreement. 

It also provides victims the right to reasonable protection by ensuring their right to privacy and provides the right to proceedings free from unreasonable delays.

Finally, it includes the right to restitution, and a clause on enforceability, so that if a victim of crime feels that any of their rights have been violated, they will have standing to petition the judge for a remedy.

The language was carefully crafted to ensure it meets Constitutional standing in Oklahoma. Victims’ rights would be protected in a manner equal to the rights of the defendants, but it does not impact or change the existing defendants’ rights.

More information can be found on Marsy’s Law for Oklahoma State Question 794 at https://www.marsyslaw4ok.com/.