[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/faqs-about-marsys-law-in-nevada\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/faqs-about-marsys-law-in-nevada\/","headline":"FAQs About Marsy\u2019s Law in Nevada","name":"FAQs About Marsy\u2019s Law in Nevada","description":"Those charged with crimes have rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, such as the right to a speedy trial, an attorney, and an impartial jury. While federal and state governments grant crime victims certain legal rights, they have not been … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2022-07-07","dateModified":"2025-10-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/author\/steven\/#Person","name":"Steven Altig","url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/author\/steven\/","identifier":44,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a8d8cd32c2a03a35c529399beae2d69e526d6d06274a6324512ec563b98bd7f5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a8d8cd32c2a03a35c529399beae2d69e526d6d06274a6324512ec563b98bd7f5?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/adras-daltig-law-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/adras-daltig-law-logo.png","width":437,"height":92}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adras-and-Altig-Blog-Template.png","url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Adras-and-Altig-Blog-Template.png","height":683,"width":1024},"url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/faqs-about-marsys-law-in-nevada\/","about":["Criminal Defense"],"wordCount":552,"articleBody":"Those charged with crimes have rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, such as the right to a speedy trial, an attorney, and an impartial jury. While federal and state governments grant crime victims certain legal rights, they have not been enforced with the same consistency as criminal defendants\u2019 rights. Marsy\u2019s Law aims to change that.\u00a0What Is Marsy\u2019s Law?Marsy\u2019s Law is an amendment to the Nevada state constitution approved by voters in 2018. It guarantees victims of crimes certain rights and protections and makes it easier for them to hold government entities accountable for not enforcing their rights.\u00a0The law is named after Marsalee Nicholas, who was killed by her boyfriend in 1983. Just a week after her murder, Marsy\u2019s mother was confronted by the accused murderer. He had been released back into the community on bail without notifying the family. Marsy\u2019s brother, Henry Nicholas, has been a strong supporter of the legislation. In 2008, California formally adopted Marsy\u2019s Law into the state constitution.\u00a0Marsy\u2019s Law ensures that victims are afforded the right to:\u00a0Be treated in a dignified and respectful manner during the legal processSeek compensation from the defendant through a civil lawsuitReasonable protection from the defendantBe notified of hearings and court rulingsHave a voice during legal proceedingsAlong with California and Nevada, the law has been adopted in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.Why Are People Against Marsy\u2019s Law?While the goal of the law is to ensure that victims are treated fairly, the proposal has faced challenges. The law\u2019s wording is not precise, and state governments have struggled to implement some of the rights. For example, who counts as a victim that must be notified of hearings or court decisions? Does this include extended family members? And how are they provided notice?\u00a0There are also concerns that placing defendants and victims on equal ground could undermine the criminal justice process. If the new protections guaranteed to victims conflict with the defendant\u2019s constitutional rights, whose rights would be violated? Presumed innocence is an essential part of American criminal law that Marsy\u2019s Law can be interpreted to violate.Does Marsy\u2019s Law Apply to Civil Cases?Marsy\u2019s Law is mainly about the criminal justice system. However, it allows crime victims to hold federal and state governments liable in civil court if they don\u2019t properly enforce the constitutional protections afforded to victims. It also gives victims the right to seek restitution from defendants in civil court.\u00a0What Are Victims\u2019 Rights in Nevada?In Nevada, crime victims are entitled to benefits beyond Marsy\u2019s Law, as outlined in the Nevada\u00a0Victims\u2019 Bill of Rights\u00a0enacted in 1983. Victims have the right to:\u00a0Know the status of their caseKnow when the defendant is released on bail or from prison\u00a0Be free from intimidationSeek compensation, if applicableContact a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney TodayIf you have been charged with a crime in Las Vegas, you deserve an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and fight the charges against you. Contact the Nevada criminal defense lawyers at Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law today for more information on how Marsy\u2019s Law may apply in your case.\u00a0"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"FAQs About Marsy\u2019s Law in Nevada","item":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/faqs-about-marsys-law-in-nevada\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]