Wisconsin Legislature approves crime victim rights measure

MADISON — The Wisconsin Legislature has approved a constitutional amendment bolstering crime victim rights.

Both the Senate and Assembly approved the measure on bipartisan votes Wednesday, May 15. The Senate passed it 27-5 and the Assembly approved it 82-15.

The amendment will now be put before voters for final in the April 2020 election. Constitutional amendments have to pass two consecutive sessions of the Legislature and be approved by voters.

The amendment, known as Marsy's Law, largely duplicates existing victim protections but goes further in several areas.

Victims would have the right to be heard at plea, parole and revocation proceedings, the right to refuse defense attorneys' interview, deposition or discovery requests and the right to attend all proceedings in their cases.