What is a Victim Impact Statement and How Is It Used?
As a crime victim, you have the opportunity to use the Victim Impact Statement (VIS) to describe how the crime affected you and others close to you. This statement has space for you to write about physical, emotional, and financial effects of the crime, as well as any other changes in your life you may have experienced. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty after trial, your impact statement will help the judge understand how this crime has affected you and those close to you.
Do I Have To Fill Out a Victim Impact Statement?
You do not have to fill out a Victim Impact Statement. It may be helpful, however, to the judge when they decide what sentence the defendant should receive and/or any money the defendant may have to pay you for expenses you have paid or owe because of this crime. When the judge makes the defendant pay the victim, there is no guarantee that the defendant will be able to pay the whole amount.
Your statement will become an official court document after it is given to the court, and will become part of the defendant’s permanent file. The judge, prosecutor, and probation officer will read your statement. In addition, prison and parole officials may read your statement if the defendant is sentenced to a prison term. The defendant and their attorney will also be able to read what you have written. They may even be able to ask you questions about your statement in court. The defendant will not see your address and telephone number because you are not asked to put them on your statement.
No one knows better than you how this crime may have changed your life. Those of us involved in your case believe it’s very important that you have the opportunity to help the court understand all of the ways this crime has affected you and those near you. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this information.
If you would like to provide a statement in person at the sentencing hearing, please contact Crime Victim Assistance right away to discuss this option.
Suggestions For Completing Your Victim Impact Statement.
The following suggestions are offered only as a guide in filling out a Victim Impact Statement or the form provided by the Adult Probation Department. Feel free to write in your own words how this crime has affected you and those close to you. Please answer as many questions as possible. If a question makes you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to answer it.
If you need more space or wish to provide information in a different way, please use as much paper as you need, and attach the pages to this form when you return it. If you feel uncomfortable in any way using this form, you may write a letter to the judge explaining how this crime has affected you and those close to you.
We realize it may be difficult to put into words the impact this crime has had on you and those close to you. Many victims find it helpful to organize their statement by the emotional and physical effects. Some victims find it helpful to write a rough draft of their statement before completing the final statement. Statements should not be directed toward the defendant rather to those involved in your case, such as the judge, prosecutor, and probation officer.
If you would like to tell the court about the emotional impact of this crime, you may want to consider:
Has this crime affected your lifestyle or those close to you?
Have your feelings about yourself or your life changed since the crime?
Has your ability to relate to others changed?
If you or your family members were injured, you may wish to tell the court about the physical impact of this crime. You may wish to:
Describe the physical injuries you or members of your family suffered.
Describe how long these injuries lasted or how long they are expected to last.
Describe any medical treatment you have received or expect to receive in the future.
If you should need any assistance in completing your Victim Impact Statement, please contact Crime Victim Assistance at 812-462-3319.
As a crime victim, you have the opportunity to use the Victim Impact Statement (VIS) to describe how the crime affected you and others close to you. This statement has space for you to write about physical, emotional, and financial effects of the crime, as well as any other changes in your life you may have experienced. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty after trial, your impact statement will help the judge understand how this crime has affected you and those close to you.
Do I Have To Fill Out a Victim Impact Statement?
You do not have to fill out a Victim Impact Statement. It may be helpful, however, to the judge when they decide what sentence the defendant should receive and/or any money the defendant may have to pay you for expenses you have paid or owe because of this crime. When the judge makes the defendant pay the victim, there is no guarantee that the defendant will be able to pay the whole amount.
Your statement will become an official court document after it is given to the court, and will become part of the defendant’s permanent file. The judge, prosecutor, and probation officer will read your statement. In addition, prison and parole officials may read your statement if the defendant is sentenced to a prison term. The defendant and their attorney will also be able to read what you have written. They may even be able to ask you questions about your statement in court. The defendant will not see your address and telephone number because you are not asked to put them on your statement.
No one knows better than you how this crime may have changed your life. Those of us involved in your case believe it’s very important that you have the opportunity to help the court understand all of the ways this crime has affected you and those near you. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with this information.
If you would like to provide a statement in person at the sentencing hearing, please contact Crime Victim Assistance right away to discuss this option.
Suggestions For Completing Your Victim Impact Statement.
The following suggestions are offered only as a guide in filling out a Victim Impact Statement or the form provided by the Adult Probation Department. Feel free to write in your own words how this crime has affected you and those close to you. Please answer as many questions as possible. If a question makes you feel uncomfortable, you do not have to answer it.
If you need more space or wish to provide information in a different way, please use as much paper as you need, and attach the pages to this form when you return it. If you feel uncomfortable in any way using this form, you may write a letter to the judge explaining how this crime has affected you and those close to you.
We realize it may be difficult to put into words the impact this crime has had on you and those close to you. Many victims find it helpful to organize their statement by the emotional and physical effects. Some victims find it helpful to write a rough draft of their statement before completing the final statement. Statements should not be directed toward the defendant rather to those involved in your case, such as the judge, prosecutor, and probation officer.
If you would like to tell the court about the emotional impact of this crime, you may want to consider:
Has this crime affected your lifestyle or those close to you?
Have your feelings about yourself or your life changed since the crime?
Has your ability to relate to others changed?
If you or your family members were injured, you may wish to tell the court about the physical impact of this crime. You may wish to:
Describe the physical injuries you or members of your family suffered.
Describe how long these injuries lasted or how long they are expected to last.
Describe any medical treatment you have received or expect to receive in the future.
If you should need any assistance in completing your Victim Impact Statement, please contact Crime Victim Assistance at 812-462-3319.