📃 Victim Impact Statements

Alleged victims in Massachusetts criminal proceedings have a long list of rights. These rights are provided by M.G.L. c. 258B, Section 3 and they include, the right

to be heard through an oral and written victim impact statement at sentencing or the disposition of the case against the defendant about the effects of the crime on the victim and as to a recommended sentence…and to be heard at any other time deemed appropriate by the court. The victim also has a right to submit the victim impact statement to the parole board for inclusion in its records regarding the perpetrator of the crime

This “victim impact statement” will be given to the alleged victim by the court’s victim-witness advocate and it will be considered by the judge if/when the defendant tenders a plea.