IMPORTANT PROP 9 (MARSY’S LAW) UPDATE!!! Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal of the State of California in the Third Appellate District, Arthur G. Scotland has ruled that a Yolo County judge that banned a victim’s mother from his courtroom must explain his actions. Crime Victims United Advisory Board member Bilenda Harris-Ritter filed the appeal on behalf of the victim’s mother. She was banned from the courtroom during the trial of the murderer of her son. The National Crime Victims Law Institute asked Crime Victims United Executive Board Member Nina Salarno Ashford to file an amicus curiae brief in support of the victim. Citing the victim’s rights under Proposition 9 (Mary’s Law), Ms. Salarno Ashford filed the brief with the Third Appellate District Court. The presiding judge agreed, and now Yolo County Judge Warriner will have to explain his actions. “This is a great victory for victims. Precedence has now been set for the state of California and if other victims run into this problem, we have a case to refer to rather than waiting for appeals” said Crime Victims United Executive Board Member Nina Salarno Ashford. Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig commented, “This is a big decision for victims.”
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