Completing Your Victim Impact Statement

Suggestions for Completing Your Victim Impact Statement

Only you know how to best describe the effects this crime has had on you and those close to you. We realize it may be difficult to put into words the impact this crime has had on you and those close to you. Many victims find it helpful to organize their statement by the emotional, physical, and financial effects. Some victims have found it helpful to write a rough draft of their statement before completing the final statement.

If you should need any assistance in completing your victim impact statement, please feel free to contact the Victim Witness Program for assistance at 703-777-0417.

Emotional Impact

If you would like to tell the court about the emotional impact of this crime, you may want to consider:

  • Has this crime affected your lifestyle or those close to you?
  • Have your feelings about yourself or your life changed since the crime?
  • Has your ability to relate to others changed?

Physical Impact

If you or your family members were injured, you may wish to tell the court about the physical impact of this crime. You may wish to:

  • Describe the physical injuries you or members of your family suffered
  • Describe how long these injuries lasted or how long they are expected to last
  • Describe any medical treatment you have received or expect to receive in the future

Financial Impact

If you are making a written statement, you may want to discuss how this crime has affected your ability to earn a living and how it has affected you financially. It is important to be as complete as possible in describing your financial losses as this information will be used by the probation department and provided to the judge for determining restitution.

Restitution is the possible payment by the defendant to you for any financial losses you may have suffered as a result of this crime.