LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- Kentucky voters said yes to Marsy's Law with more than 60 percent of the votes going in favor of the constitutional amendment, but it won't take effect right away — if at all.
Marsy's Law adds 10 rights to the state constitution, including the right for crime victims to be notified of court proceedings and the right to speak out at court hearings.
“At its core, Marsy’s Law for Kentucky is about fairness and equality for all, and I’m proud to see Kentuckians vote to add this to our constitution,” said Ashlea Christiansen, Marsy’s Law for Kentucky State Director. “From this day forward, I hope the criminal justice system will no longer be a place of confusion and further re-victimization, but rather a place of hope and healing for victims.”
Supporters said the new rights are necessary to provide equal rights to crime victims as accusers.
But not everyone agrees and some go as far as to say Marsy's Law could have unintended consequences that could hurt the justice system.
That's why the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers filed a lawsuit to block it completely.
In response to that lawsuit, a Kentucky judge ruled the wording on the ballot was too vague, which put the law on hold until the Kentucky Supreme Court hears the case even though voters passed the proposal.
Despite the seal of approval from Kentucky voters, the biggest vote is still ahead with the Kentucky Supreme Court tasked with deciding if Marsy's Law should take effect now or ever.
The justices meet next in December.
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