Who typically submits victim impact statements?

Victim impact statements are typically submitted by the victim or their family members. This allows those impacted by a crime to express how the offense has affected their lives emotionally, physically, and financially. Such statements can provide the court with a deeper understanding of the consequences of the crime, and they often play a role in influencing sentencing decisions.

Victim impact statements are essential because they personalize the crime beyond legal definitions and can evoke empathy and insight into the severity of the emotional and psychological trauma experienced by the victims and their loved ones. This input is crucial, especially during the sentencing phase of a trial, to help the judge or jury understand the human impact of the offender's actions.

While attorneys, judges, and prosecutors may have roles in the legal process, the victim and their family are the primary sources for these impactful statements, making their perspective invaluable in the judicial system.