Victim Impact Statements
Victim impact statements provide the victim of a criminal act the opportunity to tell the judge about the effects of the crime for which the trial is being held (Minn. Dept. of Public Safety, 2011). This is something that may not arise during the course of a criminal trial, and it may present information that is relevant to the sentence imposed. The statement is given at the time of the sentencing or the juvenile dispositional hearing, and it is usually presented by the victim, family members or guardians, or the custodian of a minor or deceased individual. The statement may be presented ...
