Commentary: Marsy's Law

In recognition of the fifth anniversary of Marsy’s Law being passed in Kentucky, we’re pleased to share this op-ed from Lou Anna Red Corn, retired Fayette Commonwealth Attorney, originally published by the Lexington Herald Leader.

After more than four decades in prosecution, I’ve seen firsthand how the justice system has evolved — and how far we’ve come in recognizing the importance of victims’ voices.

When Marsy’s Law passed five years ago, it formalized something many of us in this field had long believed: that justice must include both accountability and compassion. By establishing clear constitutional rights for victims — to be notified, to be present, and to be heard — Marsy’s Law strengthened the foundation for fairness across Kentucky.

In my years as a prosecutor, I have seen the pain of victims who were denied the opportunity to speak at the sentencing of the person who murdered their loved one, or the fear of a frightened domestic violence survivor when told the court would not listen to her concerns about bond for her abuser. Today, I see those rights have taken root in daily practice — from how we communicate with victims to how their perspectives are represented in court. Marsy’s Law helped shift the culture toward one that understands victims as central to the process, not peripheral to it.

Five years later, its impact continues to remind us that justice is not one-sided. It belongs to everyone — including those who have been harmed.