Amendment 6 passes, providing more victims' rights, new judge retirement age

The proposed Amendment 6 on Florida's ballot passed with 61 percent of the vote.

There will be more specific rights for crime victims, the new retirement age for judges is now set at 75 years of age and state courts will be prohibited from deferring to an administrative agency's interpretation of a state statute or law in lawsuits. These changes will be added to the Florida Constitution.

Marcy's Law seeks to expand on the previous scope of victims' rights already in the Florida Constitution. Many states have voted on the new rights, and Florida is joined by six other states voting on these rights this year. Some of the rights include due process, protection from the accused, right to refuse an interview at the request of the accused and notification of proceedings and releasing of the accused.

The new age of retirement for Florida judges has been moved from 70 to 75 years of age. 

Deference is when someone challenges how an agency interprets a law, but the judge rules it is up to the agency to determine the law. This happens when there is gray area in a law. The new amendment will not allow state courts to submit to the agency's interpretations. 

For more information on amendments, click here.