The effects of victim impact statements on sentencing decisions: A test in an urban setting

Many reforms have been initiated in an effort to assure victims participation in the justice process. Although these reforms appear to represent great progress, it remains unclear to what extent victims actually have benefited. The present study examines one widely heralded reform measure—victim impact statements—and seeks to determine whether they have resulted in sentences more congruent with the harm done to victims and/or in sentences generally harsher on convicted defendants. These questions were examined in a field test implemented in Bronx County, NY. The study concludes that impact statements neither increased officials' consideration of harm to victims nor resulted in generally harsher sentencing decisions. This research was funded under Grant 7-0483-0-NY-IJ of the National Institute of Justice. The views herein reflect those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of NIJ. This research was funded under Grant 7-0483-0-NY-IJ of the National Institute of Justice. The views herein reflect those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of NIJ. Notes This research was funded under Grant 7-0483-0-NY-IJ of the National Institute of Justice. The views herein reflect those of the authors, and are not necessarily those of NIJ.