What Tennessee’s proposed constitutional amendment on victims’ rights would actually change
by Brandon Burley and The Redemption Project
A victim sits through a plea hearing and learns the sentence may be shorter than expected. Another finds out about a parole hearing only after it already occurred. A parent waits for updates after juvenile court proceedings involving the person accused of harming their child.
In many cases, Tennessee law already provides crime victims with notice rights, participation rights and protections throughout the criminal justice process.
But in November 2026, Tennessee voters are expected to decide whether many of those protections should become broader constitutional rights instead.
A statute can be changed by a future Legislature. A constitutional amendment changes the governing framework itself.
The proposed amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Tennessee Constitution would repeal Tennessee’s current constitutional victims’ rights section and replace it with a significantly expanded version. Supporters describe the proposal as strengthening victims’ dignity, participation and standing throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Critics and legal observers may question how expanded constitutional victim rights could interact with due process protections, prosecutorial discretion and courtroom procedure.
Before voters decide whether they support or oppose the amendment, the first question is simpler:
What would actually change?
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