If victims have rights within the criminal justice system, then why are we so mad?
Why do we beg voters to Vote YES on Prop 9 – The Crime Victims Bill of Rights Act of 2008 Act?
Our Declaration of Independence provides all citizens with these basic rights: Life, Liberty and
the Pursuit of Happiness.
the Pursuit of Happiness.
In the California Constitution, these rights are reaffirmed:
ARTICLE 1 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
ARTICLE 1 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
SECTION 1. All people are by nature free and independent and have
inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and
liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing
and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.
inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and
liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing
and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.
SEC. 3. (a) The people have the right to instruct their
representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and
assemble freely to consult for the common good
representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and
assemble freely to consult for the common good
SEC. 7. (a) A person may not be deprived of life, liberty, or
property without due process of law or denied equal protection of the
laws;
property without due process of law or denied equal protection of the
laws;
The federal and state government enshrined these promises and guarantees; they are a sacred bond,
the glue, between citizens and government. These rights are owed to all.
the glue, between citizens and government. These rights are owed to all.
California citizens enjoy these rights – until, until – they become victims of crime. When criminals
kill, rob, rape, assault, and molest, they deny victims their constitutional guarantees. Criminals
deny victims their civil rights. No due process here. Equal protection – forget it.
kill, rob, rape, assault, and molest, they deny victims their constitutional guarantees. Criminals
deny victims their civil rights. No due process here. Equal protection – forget it.
Criminal rights – this is where victims learn to gag. The legal establishment bends over backward to be “fair,” to scrupulously ensure criminal rights. Lawyers, judges, legislatures and prosecutors, without
malice, have built an industry, a game, a scheme, an understanding among themselves that most often
leaves the victim on the outside, voiceless and powerless. Victims are bystanders, watching their fate determined by others.
malice, have built an industry, a game, a scheme, an understanding among themselves that most often
leaves the victim on the outside, voiceless and powerless. Victims are bystanders, watching their fate determined by others.
Victims have few rights within the justice system. However, victims do have the right to pay for the system with their taxes. And, why are victims so hard hearted, can’t we show some humanity by forgiving and understanding the criminal? Victims are just sick of it.
Victims are just fed up: “mad as hell and we won’t take it anymore!” Please join victims in the fight for justice. Vote YES on Prop 9 to establish victim rights in the California Constitution and in the criminal justice system.
Please visit www.friendsofmarsyslaw.org Learn how you can be heard. Learn how you can help. Join the fight, Get Involved!
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