Sununu, much of Legislature press for Marsy's Law constitutional amendment

Gov Chris Sununu at Marsy's Law campaign rollout on Tuesday in Concord. (Marsyslaw.us photo)

CONCORD - Governor Sununu on Tuesday pledged his support to set in granite the rights of Granite State crime victims by making "Marsy's Law" a permanent fixture within the state's constitution.

The proposed constitutional amendment includes several protections already in place but adds others guarantees, including being provided notice and the right to be heard at all court hearings, to be protected from the accused and to be notified in the result of any parole, release or escape of the convicted. It also includes the right to receive restitution for their suffering.

"As Governor of New Hampshire, my top priority is the safety of our citizens," said Sununu. "When victims of crime find the strength to come forward and engage in the criminal justice process we must ensure that they have basic rights and protections in place. Victims of crime deserve equal constitutional rights - the same rights as defendants. No more, no less. Let's get this done."

Almost all of the state Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Democratic Speaker of the House support the constitutional amendment, which would have to pass both chambers by a 60 percent margin.

It would also have to garner a two thirds popular vote next November.

Marsy's Law was first enacted as the California Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008, The act protects and expands the legal rights of victims of crime to generally include 17 rights in the judicial process, including the right to legal standing, protection from the defendant, notification of all court proceedings, and restitution, as well as granting parole boards far greater powers to deny inmates parole.

Maine so far has no Marsy's Law and has actually gotten some pushback as in a Bangor Daily News editorial last fall that said it was unnecessary, unfunded, redundant and could bog down already overburdened courts.