The Arkansas Constitution spells out clear rights for people accused of a crime. Crime victims have no such guarantee. Their rights exist only in state statute, which means they can vary by jurisdiction, be revised at any time, and are legally beneath the rights of their offenders. Marsy’s Law would fix that by putting victims’ rights directly in the Arkansas Constitution, guaranteeing crime victims the same lasting, enforceable protection already given to the accused and convicted.

In practice, that means:

• Guaranteeing crime victims are treated with fairness, dignity and respect for their privacy throughout the criminal justice process;

• Protecting them from intimidation, harassment and abuse; 

• Victims are notified of key hearings and have the right to be present and heard — giving them a voice in the process, not a veto over it;

• Victims are notified of key hearings and have the right to be present and heard — giving them a voice in the process, not a veto over it;

• A victim’s safety is a factor courts must consider when deciding a defendant’s bail or release;

• Victims are entitled to full and timely restitution for the harm they’ve suffered;

• And giving victims the ability to assert their rights in a courtroom.

Marsy’s Law would not make victims parties to a criminal case, and it would not diminish any right currently afforded to a defendant. It simply ensures that when someone is harmed by a crime, their dignity, safety, and voice are permanently protected — not left out of the state’s highest law. 

Arkansas is one of only 14 states without these constitutional protections for crime victims. It’s time to change that.

Have questions or want to learn more? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.