On November 7, 2017, an overwhelming majority of voters passed Marsy’s Law for Ohio, also known as the Ohio Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights, in a record-breaking 83% show of support.
A victim is defined as, “any person against whom a criminal offense or delinquent act is committed or any person who is directly and proximately harmed by the commission of the offense or act.” The suspect, defendant, or offender is not a victim, and the term victim does not include “a person whom the court finds would not act in the best interests of a deceased, incompetent, minor or incapacitated victim.”
Ohio Constitution | Article I - Bill of Rights
§ 10a Rights of victims of crimes
Effective February 5, 2018
To secure for victims justice and due process throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems, a victim shall have the following rights, which shall be protected in a manner no less vigorous than the rights afforded to the accused:
(1) to be treated with fairness and respect for the victim's safety, dignity and privacy;
(2) upon request, to reasonable and timely notice of all public proceedings involving the criminal offense or delinquent act against the victim, and to be present at all such proceedings;
(3) to be heard in any public proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, or parole, or in any public proceeding in which a right of the victim is implicated;
(4) to reasonable protection from the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused;
(5) upon request, to reasonable notice of any release or escape of the accused;
(6) except as authorized by section 10 of Article I of this constitution, to refuse an interview, deposition, or other discovery request made by the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused;
(7) to full and timely restitution from the person who committed the criminal offense or delinquent act against the victim;
(8) to proceedings free from unreasonable delay and a prompt conclusion of the case;
(9) upon request, to confer with the attorney for the government; and
(10) to be informed, in writing, of all rights enumerated in this section.
(B) The victim, the attorney for the government upon request of the victim, or the victim's other lawful representative, in any proceeding involving the criminal offense or delinquent act against the victim or in which the victim's rights are implicated, may assert the rights enumerated in this section and any other right afforded to the victim by law. If the relief sought is denied, the victim or the victim's lawful representative may petition the court of appeals for the applicable district, which shall promptly consider and decide the petition.
VICTIM’S RIGHTS REQUEST/WAIVER FORM
Please visit the Attorney General’s Crime Victim Services Section for more information.