Do victim impact statements affect sentencing?
The victim impact statement assists the judge when he or she decides what sentence the defendant should receive. Although the judge will decide the defendant’s sentence based primarily on the pre-sentence report and certain sentencing guidelines, the judge should consider your opinion before making a decision.
What should a victim impact statement say?
How do I write a victim impact statement? Your statement should detail the effect of the crime on you and your family. It should not reiterate the facts of the case because this may give the defence an opportunity to challenge the facts as they have been presented.
What should a victims personal statement include?
Making a victim personal statement
- physical injury;
- emotional impact of the crime, if it has affected your feelings or emotional wellbeing;
- social impact, including how you interact with people;
- financial impact, including any money or property lost as a result of the crime, or inability to work.
Who takes a victim impact statement?
Victim Personal Statements are usually taken by the police, but the Victims’ Code also allows for the VPS to be taken by “an organisation offering victim support services or another service provider” if arranged by the police.
How long should an impact statement be?
Statements usually range from 5-15 minutes in length. Without your input many offenders may never know the true impact of their actions.
What should you not put in a victim impact statement?
Don’t describe what you want to happen to the offender in prison. Please do not get descriptive about any harm you would like to see imposed. Don’t put personal, identifying information in your letter and do not say it verbally in court.