Marsy's Law and parole boards: which statement is true?

• A. It grants parole boards greater powers to deny inmate's parole
• B. It restricts parole boards' powers
• C. It has no effect on parole decisions
• D. It requires parole boards to grant parole automatically

Answer: (A)

Marsy’s Law for Victims’ Rights expands the rights of crime victims in parole proceedings, requiring that victims be informed, allowed to attend, and able to address the parole board. With victims’ input formally considered as part of the decision, the board has more grounds to weigh safety and impact on victims when deciding whether to grant release. This can translate into greater influence to deny parole when victims oppose it or express concerns, even though it isn’t an automatic outcome or a mandate to deny in every case. It also isn’t about reducing the board’s authority or guaranteeing parole; it’s about elevating victims’ role in the process and ensuring their input is part of the decision.