Wisconsin Supreme Court legally adopts amendment to expand rights of crime victims known as 'Marsy's Law'

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• Marsallee Nicholas, a girl who was killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983, is the inspiration for "Marsy's Law" The law expands the rights of crime victims. Her brother is funding efforts to put the law in place across the country.
• Wisconsin's Supreme Court ruled the law, which will expand Wisconsin crime victim's rights, was properly worded in a statewide referendum and therefore would be legally adopted.
• Wisconsin's voters initially ratified the law in April 2020, but the state's Justice Initiative sued claiming the amendment’s scope wasn't fully described on ballots.

An amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution expanding crime victims’ rights was properly worded in a statewide referendum and legally adopted, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

Voters ratified the amendment, known as Marsy's Law, in April 2020. The Wisconsin Justice Initiative sued, arguing that the amendment’s scope wasn’t fully described on ballots.

The court ruled 6-1 on Tuesday that the description was proper. The process outlined in the constitution for amending the document doesn't require an explanation of every element of the amendment on ballots, Justice Brian Hagedorn wrote. The amendment was properly submitted to the people and is therefore valid, he wrote.

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Dennis Grzezinski, an attorney representing the Wisconsin Justice Initiative, didn't immediately respond Tuesday morning to an email seeking comment.

The Wisconsin State Capitol is shown in Madison, Wisconsin. The state's Supreme Court legally adopted an amendment which will expand rights of crime victims. The law is also known as "Marsy's Law." (Jordan McAlister / Contributor)

The Wisconsin Constitution and state law provide a host of victim rights. The amendment largely duplicates that existing language but goes further in a number of areas.

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For example, it grants victims the right to seal information or records that could be used to locate them and the right to be heard at plea and parole hearings. They also can opt out of participating in depositions conducted by defense attorneys or opposing attorneys in civil matters, making it harder for criminal defendants to sue them.

Nearly a dozen states have adopted similar laws expanding crime victims’ rights.

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Supporters have dubbed the amendments "Marsy’s Law" for California college student Marsalee Nicholas, who was killed by an ex-boyfriend in 1983. Her brother has funded efforts to put the amendments in place across the country.