The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) established the Victims’ Rights March & Rally in 2009 after decades of legal and legislative efforts to secure the rights of crime victims. The OCDA’s Victims’ Rights March & Rally takes place every April to coincide with National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. More than 400 people march through Santa Ana each year in remembrance of murdered victims, celebration of surviving victims, and honor of victims’ rights.
The OCDA has been actively involved in creating laws to protect victims’ rights and educating the public to reject anti-public safety laws. In 1990, Proposition 115 increased punishments for defendants and decreased the number of times a victim had to testify. In 1996, Megan’s Law gave public access to sex offender registration information including residence addresses, photographs, convictions, and other identifying information. In 2000, Proposition 21 increased the punishments for serious and dangerous gang crimes. In 2004, Proposition 69 required felony arrestees to submit a DNA sample, and Proposition 66, which would have allowed the release of dangerous Third-Strikers, was defeated. In 2006, Proposition 83, or Jessica’s Law, instituted mandatory 15-year-to-life sentences for certain serious sex offenses against children. In 2008, Marsy’s Law codified victims’ rights into the California Constitution. In 2013, Proposition 35 increased penalties for those convicted of human trafficking, and in 2014 the OCDA co-sponsored a bill with Senator Marty Block to allow one jurisdiction to prosecute human trafficking cases that occurred in multiple counties.
For additional information about the upcoming Victims' Rights Rally please visit this link. You may RSVP for this event by going to Eventbrite page and registering for a free admission ticket.
Please visit this link to watch video from last year's event on the OCDA YouTube channel.
Annual Victims' Rights March & Rally Video/Photo Presentations