Best Practices for State Victims’ Rights Legal Services Programs
With special introduction by Ms. Jessica Hart, recently appointed Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Director
Ohio’s victims’ rights constitutional amendment, Marsy‘s Law, passed in November 2017, and went into effect on February 5, 2018. Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center (OCVJC) has led the efforts to successfully provide guidance to implement the constitutional amendment, draft legislation to clarify and expand the constitutional provisions, and litigate Marsy‘s Law rights across the state from the trial courts to the Ohio Supreme Court. OCVJC will provide guidance, suggestions, and concrete examples to assist attendees in implementing Marsy‘s Law and other victims’ rights laws in their states. OCVJC will also discuss how their work, including legislation, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.