Suggestions For Writing A Victim Impact Statement
Things You Should Do
- Determine if you qualify as the "victim" in the case before writing a statement.
- Use additional paper if necessary.
- Write or type clearly and concisely.
- Make the statement readable in about 5 minutes.
- Discuss characteristics of the life of the victim before the crime and list specific examples.
- Discuss your feelings during the crime.
- Discuss characteristics of the life of the victim after the crime and list specific examples.
Write your statement as "awful" as it really is (don't be bashful). As difficult as it may be, please use the word associated with the crime. For example, if you are raped, use this word. Do not minimize what happened by merely describing the offense as an "assault". If someone dear to you was murdered, use this word. Do not minimize what happened by describing the offense as a "death".
Things You Should Not Do
- Repeat evidence already presented.
- Bad mouth the defendant or defense attorney.
- Discuss new evidence not presented at trial.
