Marsy's Law

A bill that would shield the identities of crime victims and some police officers who say they are victims of crimes is heading to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk after the Legislature overwhelmingly approved it Wednesday.

The Florida Legislature is set to pass a measure as soon as this week that would protect the identities of police officers and crime victims, more than two years after the state Supreme Court struck down portions of legislation known as “Marsy’s Law.” Marsy’s Law was initially a constitutional amendment that Florida voters approved in 2018. It intended to protect crime victims from having their identities revealed under Florida’s public records law. However, some police agencies began invoking Marsy’s Law for officers who used lethal force in the field, under the idea that the officers were victims, as well.

Nearly five years after voters passed a constitutional amendment about victims’ rights, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office Monday urged the Florida Supreme Court to use the measure to make it harder for Death Row inmates to get stays of execution.

The Florida Supreme Court will consider arguments this week in a case that considers whether the identities of officers who kill civilians should be protected under the state’s new Marsy’s Law. The law is intended to protect the identities of crime victims. Police and their supporters say officers or deputies involved in fatal shootings may face imminent threat of harm themselves. The case stems from two Tallahassee police officers who shot and killed suspects and are now requesting their identity be shielded under the law.

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman doesn’t want the public to know the identity of two deputies involved in the shooting of 65-year-old Jeremiah Evans and has gone to great lengths to keep their names, which are public information under Florida’s Public Records Act, a secret.

Backers of a November constitutional amendment designed to expand crime-victims’ rights said Monday they have requested records from prosecutors across...

Voters will decide whether to place victims’ rights in the Florida Constitution this November. Advocates say it’s necessary to give victims a voice in...