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You may stand before the judge and convey to him your feelings, or you may prepare and read a written statement while sitting at the prosecutor's table. You may also bring a picture of the victim and/or a family picture. If you feel unable to deliver the impact statement personally, you may present the judge with a written copy, or request that a family member, friend, or the Assistant District Attorney read the statement on your behalf. If the statement is in written form, you will be required to submit a copy to the judge, the prosecutor, and the defense attorney.  If you need help in preparing an impact statement, your advocate, and in some courts volunteers, may be available to assist you. You can also check with your advocate to see if sample statements are available for you to review. The victim impact, statement represents your right to be heard, and you are strongly encouraged to exercise this right by whatever method, i.e., oral, wirtten or a combination of both, that you find most comfortable.
Credits: Thank You
Although the purpose of an impact statement is to give you the opportunity to address the court directly regarding the impact the murder has had on you, your family, and the victim's friends, many survivors feel quite strongly that the convicted murderer should also hear what they have to say. Even in cases where the murderer shows no emotion or remorse for his crime, the survivors often find the opportunity to express themselves in the presence of the offender to be one way in which they can begin to regain some control over their lives. If the defense attorney requests that his client be allowed to leave the courtroom before your statement is read, and you would prefer that he be present, you may request, through the prosecutor, that the offender remain in the courtroom. The final decision as to whether or not the offender remains in the courtroom will be made by the judge. If the judge rules in your favor, however, you must address your comments directly to the court.
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Verdict & Sentencing ~
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Even in first-degree murder convictions where a sentence of life in prison without parole is mandatory, you still have the right to present an impact statement to the court. Statements usually include information on the adverse physical, emotional, medical, financial, and personal effects the murder has had on you and other members of your family. However, some judges often discourage and have not allowed impact statements in first-degree convictions. Given that first-degree murder convictions carry an automatic sentence, the judge may feel that an impact statement is "inappropriate." Therefore, it is vital that you inform the prosecutor that you wish to present an impact statement regardless of the conviction.