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Victim Impact Statement
A Victim Impact Statement is your right to tell the court how the crime committed against you or your loved one has affected you. It can be written or you may choose to speak directly to the court at the Sentencing Hearing. A Victim Impact Statement provides the victim an opportunity to express their feelings about the crime while also providing the court with essential information.
Consider the Following Facts When Writing or Speaking to the Court
Emotional Impact
Consider how the crime has affected your lifestyle or those close to you. Feel free to discuss your feelings about what happened and how it has affected your general well-being. Has this crime affected your relationship with any family members, friends, co-workers, and other people?
Physical Impact
What physical injuries or symptoms have you or others close to you suffered as a result of this crime?
Financial Impact
Has this crime affected your ability to work, make a living, run a household, go to school or enjoy any other activities you previously performed or enjoyed? Have you had out-of-pocket expenses for medical or dental bills? Have you had property loss of damage due to this crime? Did you have expenses for a funeral or burial that were not reimbursed?
Sentence Recommendation(s)
Things to consider asking for in addition to any prison/jail you may want the offender to be ordered to do:
* Information provided on this web page comes from The National Organization of Victim Education, Legislation and Justice, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Office for Victims of Crime.
Consider the Following Facts When Writing or Speaking to the Court
Emotional Impact
Consider how the crime has affected your lifestyle or those close to you. Feel free to discuss your feelings about what happened and how it has affected your general well-being. Has this crime affected your relationship with any family members, friends, co-workers, and other people?
Physical Impact
What physical injuries or symptoms have you or others close to you suffered as a result of this crime?
Financial Impact
Has this crime affected your ability to work, make a living, run a household, go to school or enjoy any other activities you previously performed or enjoyed? Have you had out-of-pocket expenses for medical or dental bills? Have you had property loss of damage due to this crime? Did you have expenses for a funeral or burial that were not reimbursed?
Sentence Recommendation(s)
Things to consider asking for in addition to any prison/jail you may want the offender to be ordered to do:
- No alcohol or other drug use
- Submit to random alcohol or other drug testing
- Alcohol or other drug treatment
- Participate in Victim Awareness Classes in prison (if available)
- Attend Victim Impact Panels or classes if returned to the community (if available)
- Have no contact with the victim or the victim's family
- Pay full or partial restitution
- Place the victim's photo in the prison cell
- Restrictions on where the offender can live in the community
- Perform community service and/or make a donation to an agency that relates to the crime
- Electronic monitoring
- An apology letter
- Psychological evaluation and counseling
- Non-Violent Alternatives classes
- Prepare early to avoid the stress of last minute writing.
- Focus on what the crime means to you physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.
- Write and speak from the heart about your pain.
- The statement should take no longer than 5 to 10 minutes to read.
- Shorter and simpler is always more powerful.
- A legible, hand-written statement is acceptable.
- Consider including a photograph as part of your statement.
* Information provided on this web page comes from The National Organization of Victim Education, Legislation and Justice, Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Office for Victims of Crime.