DeWine will also serve as co-chair of the statewide campaign for State Issue 1, which is on the November ballot.
If voters pass it, crime victims and their immediate family members would be guaranteed rights when it comes to restitution, notification of proceedings and giving input on plea deals offered to offenders.
Related: Billionaire seeks to protect crime victims' rights
The proposed amendment is named Marsy’s Law, after Marsy Nicholas, who was stalked and murdered in 1983 by her ex-boyfriend. Her brother, California billionaire Henry T. Nicholas, III, is backing the change in Ohio. Similar ballot issues were approved in California, Illinois, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana, the campaign for Issue 1 said.
Related: Ohio victims' rights effort certified for fall ballot
Supporters of Issue 1 say it’ll put victims and offenders on equal footing in the criminal justice system.
Current law requires prosecutors to notify crime victims when a defendant is arrested or eligible for pretrial release. Ohio has had this automated victim notification system since 1998.
Ohio Public Defender Tim Young argues against Issue 1, saying “This amendment will result in increased litigation, increased costs to taxpayers, and will delay cases, only hurting victims.”
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