Legal Definitions - victim-impact statement

A victim-impact statement is a statement that is read out loud during a sentencing hearing. It is used to inform the judge or jury about the impact that a crime has had on the victim and their family. This statement can include information about the financial, physical, and psychological effects of the crime.

For example, if someone was the victim of a robbery, their victim-impact statement might include information about the cost of replacing stolen items, any injuries they sustained during the robbery, and the emotional trauma they experienced as a result of the crime.

Another example could be if someone was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Their victim-impact statement might include information about the medical bills they incurred as a result of their injuries, the impact the accident had on their ability to work, and the emotional distress they experienced.

These examples illustrate how a victim-impact statement can provide important information to the judge or jury about the impact that a crime has had on the victim and their family. This information can be used to help determine an appropriate sentence for the offender.