Speech 2 Guidelines (Victim Impact Statement Murder Case)

Goal:

A Victim Impact statement gives a victim within a court of law the opportunity to directly address the court and the defendant, state the effects of the defendants actions on their life, and ultimately state their wishes for the defendants sentencing. At this point in the trial the guilty verdict has already been dealt and is directly followed by the sentencing by the judge. The goal of a Victim Impact statement is to invoke sympathy from the court and the judge and persuade the judge to give a sentencing worthy of the damage caused. 

Guidelines:

• Introduce yourself

Start calm and collected and really built your emotions as you continue 

• How did the crime affect you and your family?

Really express the emotional distress placed on you and your family, if you lost a loved one, state what they meant to you, how life was before the murder (Good times, Paint the victim in a beautiful light), how family functions changed, how family fell apart, how this gaping hole has destroyed you. Loss of sleep.

• What was the emotional impact of the crime on you and your family?

Tears, tears, tears.  A shaky voice is acceptable. State any depression or anxiety you now experience. Nightmares, constant fears.

• What was the financial impact on you and your family?

If the victim was a major financial support for the family, express how you now struggle to make ends meet, to keep food on the table, make house payments. Maybe you had to move to a smaller more affordable house. Explain these hardships.

• Do you have any recommendations to the court about disposition (sentencing) of this case?

Make it clear what you want for this individual. People often hope for the worst in these cases and that would be life without the possibility parole. Explain that a life for a life. The defendant not only took a life but completely devastated the lives of the loved ones and for that must surrender to a life of imprisonment. 

• Is there anything else you would like to tell the court?

Close with your most powerful statements. Statements that leave the court thinking and leaves them relating. Close allowing them to feel overly sympathetic.