What Fargo Voters Say About Measure 3

Marsy’s Law has gotten a lot of support and opposition over this election cycle.

A number of legal experts oppose the measure saying it could harm criminal cases.

Some voters agree:

“I feel Like Marsy’s Law is a little vague when it comes to what the victim’s rights are, like what the person who is being accused like what their rights are. I believe it could lead to more false imprisonment and I don’t need to see that and I don’t want to see that either,” says voter Paige Longie.

Those in favor of the measure feel it will make criminal trials more sensitive to victims.

“There is a stigma around victims that they’re just out there for attention and I think making a constitutional law that they have more rights will allow people to come forward more and not feel that they’re going to be re–victimized,” says voter Samantha Lane.

Part of that is the fact the victims would have the right to refuse a deposition from the defense.

“I don’t think they should be required to testify if there was enough evidence I don’t think that should be a requirement because that just further traumatizes victims,” says Lane.

Some argue victims refusing deposition from the defense can potentially harm the victims chances of winning a case.

On top of that they fear that making these rights a constitutional amendment will make it difficult to alter the law in the future.

“I don’t think that we should box ourselves in. I think that we should always leave ourselves open to change,” says Longie.

Currently there is legislation in place in the state protecting victim’s rights.

Advocates say victim’s rights have not been respected in certain cases and guaranteeing those rights in the constitution would ensure they would be followed.