Page:TN-Constitution2014.pdf/6

 Section 35. To preserve and protect the rights of victims of crime to justice and due process, victims shall be entitled to the following basic rights:

(a) The right to confer with the prosecution.

(b) The right to be free from intimidation, harassment and abuse throughout the criminal justice system.

(c) The right to be present at all proceedings where the defendant has the right to be present.

(d) The right to be heard, when relevant, at all critical stages of the criminal justice process as defined by the General Assembly.

(e) The right to be informed of all proceedings, and of the release, transfer or escape of the accused or convicted person.

(f) The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence.

(g) The right to restitution from the offender.

(h) The right to be informed of each of the rights established for victims.

The General Assembly has the authority to enact substantive and procedural laws to define, implement, preserve and protect the rights guaranteed to victims by this section.

Section 36. Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.

Section 1. The powers of the government shall be divided into three distinct departments: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Section 2. No person or persons belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any of the powers properly belonging to either of the others, except in the cases herein directed or permitted.

Section 3. The legislative authority of this state shall be vested in a General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives, both dependent on the people. Representatives shall hold office for two years and Senators for four years from the day of the general election, except that the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each shall hold his office as Speaker for two years or until his successor is elected and qualified, provided however, that in the first general election after adoption of this amendment senators elected in districts designated by even numbers shall be elected for four years and those elected in districts designated by odd numbers shall be elected for two years. In a county having more than one senatorial district, the districts shall be numbered consecutively.

Section 4. The apportionment of senators and representatives shall be substantially according to population. After each decennial census made by the Bureau of Census of the United States is available the General Assembly shall establish senatorial and Rh