victim impact statements
Harm described aloud
Victim impact statements are written or spoken accounts presented during criminal sentencing, describing how a crime affected the victim or their family.
They address emotional trauma, physical injuries, financial losses, and lasting consequences.
Courts consider these statements when determining sentences, giving victims a voice in proceedings that might otherwise focus only on the defendant.
The judge read the victim impact statement before announcing the sentence.
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
- court proceedingsFormal judicial process
- day in courtChance to present one's case
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- judgeOne who decides
sentencing · parole hearing · criminal · justice · trial · jury · healing process · verdict · plea · offender · punishment · speaking out · loved ones · financial restitution · criminal justice system · emotional support · trauma recovery · harm
- crime recordscriminal records, arrest records, police records, case files, police reports
- legal documentscontract, affidavit, deed, will, subpoena
victim impact statementsallocution
Formal speech, especially pre-sentencing
victim impact statementsforensic evidence
Scientific material proving crimes
exculpatory evidence · witness testimony · physical evidence · material evidence · circumstantial evidence
victim impact statementsrestorative justice
Conflict resolution through mutual healing
victim, victims, victimize, victimized, victimizing, victimization, impact, impacts, impacted