Victim Impact Statement In Crying For Justice

Victim impact statements made their first appearance in the United States in the late 1970s. The main purpose of a victim impact statement is to portray to the people of the court the affects the crime committed had on you, whether it be emotionally or physically. Often times, the victim impact statements can have some effect on the sentence given to the offender. During today’s times, forty seven states allow some form of victim impact statement to be included in the evidence used during sentencing. The article, “Crying for Justice,” makes valuable points for both sides of the argument on whether victim impact statements should be allowed during court. In the article, it talks about having victim impact statements being a positive thing in court because victims should have their voices heard. Having the voices heard also helps to provide the jury with the full account of the crime and situation surrounding the crime, as well as the moral gravity of the crime. The article also states that if the punishment is for the benefit of the victim, then the victim should have the right to say or chime in on what the punishment should be for the offender. Though those are all valuable points, I agree more with the
I believe the victim has the chance for their voice to be heard if they are called to testify against the defendant in any court case. Allowing the victims to speak after all facts and evidence have been brought beforehand just doesn't make any sense to me. I agree with the article that the victims should have a voice, I just believe that their voice should be heart during a testimony rather then a victim impact statement. I believe that all crimes should hold the same punishment. If any crime has been committed against you, the jury has a general idea beforehand how you are feeling and what you went through because of the evidence and facts that they not only received, but became aware of during the