As a
victim of crime, you can write a “Victim Impact Statement” for the judge to
read before sentencing the defendant in your case. This is a chance to tell
the Court about any changes that may have happened to you and/or your
family as a result of the crime. It is not a “re-telling” of the facts: but
rather an explanation in your own words of how the crime has affected
you. Victim Impact Statements may be difficult to write, but they are a very
important part of letting your voice be heard.
A Victim Impact Statement can simply be a
letter to the judge. As you write this letter, please consider the following:
1)
Have you been emotionally affected by this crime?
If yes, you may wish
to discuss how the crime may have affected relationships with others. If you
received or are receiving any form of counseling, you may wish to mention
this.
2) Were you physically
injured or hurt as a result of this crime?
If yes, you may wish
to write about the type of injuries you had, what medical treatment you
received or are receiving, and how long these injuries lasted or are expected
to last.
3) How
has this crime affected you, your family and those close to you?
You may wish to write
about changes that may have occurred in your family, in your ability to
perform your work, make a living, run a household or enjoy any other
activities you enjoyed before the crime.
4) Have you suffered any
financial loss as a result of this crime?
If so, you may wish to
attach specific or itemized information about property loss/damage;
deductibles which you had to pay; unreimbursed medical bills; and/or lost
wages or income. Include a total requested amount in your letter.
5) Do you have any
thoughts about the sentence you would like the judge to give the defendant?
If you would like
to request restitution or would like the judge to issue a
“no-contact” order instructing the defendant to stay away from you and
your family, please include this request in your letter.
Your letter/Victim Impact
Statement should be signed; please do NOT include your address or phone
number. MAIL or DELIVER your letter to your Victim Specialist. If a
Presentence Investigation (PSI) Report is being prepared in this case, your
Victim Specialist can make sure the Probation Officer includes it with the PSI.
The judge, Commonwealth’s Attorney, defense attorney, and the defendant
in your case will read the PSI. After sentencing, the PSI will become a
sealed part of the court records.
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