Are victim impact statements' only purpose to get the jury to increase the sentence?

Answer 1

In a nutshell thats a definitive yes,there is in my eyes no real reason for victim impact statements,in fact I consider them prejudicial to the defense. How someone feels about the commission of a crime is irrelevant,the only thing that should matter is the seveity of the crime. However considering the BS sentences given by some judges to some criminals their may be a place for them sometimes,I mean what is with Judges in the Northeast giving child molesters probation?

AD

Answer 2

The jury doesn't decide the sentence, they determine if the defendant is guilty or not. The judge decides the sentence. Victim's impact statements are mainly for the victim or family of to get a little closure and say what a lot of times they're dying to say to the criminal. I don't think the jury even hears any of it because it's done after they've arrived at a guilty decision.

Answer 3

Not really, although, I don't know how a jury or judge couldn't take their feelings into consideration.

Victim Impact Statements are a great way for the victim's to be heard, to have their thoughts and feelings filled with all of the legal documentation of the event. A victim or victim's family should have the right to express their thoughts. I think it would be horrible if victim's didn't have a voice in the legal process.

Answer 4

The judge imposes the sentence. In capital cases, the jury decides if a felon lives or gets the death penalty.
The victims' statements will certainly help the jury decide life or death.

Answer 5

Usually, they are given at the sentencing phase of the court proceeding, so it may seem so. The Constitution allows for the right of the accused to face the accuser(s), to hear for themselves the statements of witnesses and to see for themselves the evidence presented against them. Impact statements can be considered an extension of this, as it allows the accused to see both sides of the coin, as character statements are also part of the sentencing phase, and based on what can be predicted to be said by the victims, a defense attorney can line up character witnesses to temper the statements. Yes, it does influence many court authorities in their choice of punishment. It is also an unspoken right of those left to deal with the fallout to speak candidly about the ramifications of the criminal actions, in the presence of the convicted. Still, consider it part of the justice system that falls into the realm of the right to hear the good and the bad.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

No. Actually, the jury can only RECOMMEND a sentence. The judge is the one who ultimately decides. The statements are to persuade the judge.

Answer 8

makes no ******** difference....the only thing that matters is the guilty persons statement. if he is an a=sshole the might get more time but the judge had already decided the sentence after opening statements.....

Answer 9

It is just another tool of the Prosecutor to ensure that their side is completely understood and justified.