Reading your victim impact statement in court
To read your victim impact statement in court, write it out in full beforehand, practice reading it aloud at home, and bring a printed copy in large type. Speak to the judge, pause and breathe when you need to, and if you can’t finish, someone else can usually read it for you.
Write it out, even if you will speak
Writing your statement out in full keeps you on track if emotion takes over. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alaska suggests writing it in advance because, in court, your emotions could take over and you could lose your train of thought.
Connecticut’s guide says you can read your statement, speak from your heart, or have another person give it for you. A written statement does not take away your right to speak in person.
Practice reading it aloud
Reading your statement aloud a few times at home makes it easier on the day. You will learn where the hard sentences are, where to pause, and how long it takes.
A reading copy helps: the same words in large type, with short paragraphs and space between them. When you write your statement here, you can open a large-print reading copy and see how many minutes it takes to read aloud.
In the courtroom
When it is your turn, speak to the judge. Guides ask you to address the court rather than the person who did this, and to ask the judge first if you want to speak to the defendant.
Bring a printed copy for yourself, and ask your victim advocate whether to bring extra copies. If you want to show photographs or a video, tell the prosecutor and your advocate in advance so the equipment is ready.
Your victim advocate can tell you what the hearing will be like in your court, where you will stand or sit, and when you will speak.
It’s okay to pause, or to stop
You can pause, breathe and start again whenever you need to. Connecticut’s guide says simply: if you are overcome by emotion, take a breath.
If you can’t go on, you can stop. The federal guide from Alaska suggests having someone ready who can read your statement in case you can’t finish.
Someone can read it for you
If you don’t want to read your statement yourself, another person can often read it for you. Connecticut allows another person to deliver it on your behalf, and the federal guide from Alaska says the victim coordinator can read it. Ask your victim advocate who can read it in your court.
This site is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; your victim advocate can help you prepare. You can write your statement here by answering questions in your own words, with your answers kept on your device, and writing, seeing and printing your statement cost nothing.
Questions
Do I have to read my victim impact statement out loud?
No. You can usually hand it in written, read it yourself, or have someone read it for you. Ask your victim advocate what your court allows.
Who can read my victim impact statement for me?
Often a family member, a friend or your victim advocate. A federal guide says the victim coordinator can read it. Ask your advocate who can in your court.
What if I start crying while reading my statement?
You can pause, take a breath and start again. If you can’t finish, someone you chose beforehand can read the rest.
Do I speak to the judge or the defendant?
Guides ask you to speak to the judge. If you want to speak to the defendant, ask your victim advocate whether the judge allows it.