Victim Resources
What Is Marsy's Law in California?
Marsy's Law is California's constitutional Victims' Bill of Rights.
Updated September 23, 2026
Reviewed for publication by Mark A. Amador | Former California prosecutor | Partner, Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP
A constitutional bill of rights
California Constitution article I, section 28 protects defined interests involving dignity, safety, privacy, notice, consultation, participation, restitution, and post-conviction proceedings.
Who is a victim?
The constitutional definition includes a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm from a crime or attempted crime and can include specified family members and lawful representatives.
Private counsel
Victims do not need private counsel to exercise their rights, but the Constitution expressly permits a victim's retained attorney to seek enforcement of enumerated rights.
Legal reference: California Constitution article I, section 28; California DOJ victim-rights materials. Parole-specific pages also rely on current CDCR victim-services guidance. This page is general information, not legal advice.
General information only. Rights, procedures, deadlines, and available remedies can depend on the facts and the stage of the case.