What is the definition of victim under Marsy’s Law for Iowa?
The language of the amendment is ultimately up to the legislature, but the proposed language currently does not define victim. This is so the definition can be changed more rapidly through statute, if it ever needs to be. Currently, Iowa Code §915 defines victim as “a person who has suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as the result of a public offense or delinquent act, other than a simple misdemeanor, committed in this state. Victim also includes the immediate family members of a victim who died or was rendered incompetent as a result of the offense or who was under eighteen years of age at the time of the offense.” The current proposed language of Marsy’s Law for Iowa would not amend this definition.