Victim Impact Statements in the American Court System: A Legislative Exploration of Application Across the United States

n Payne v. Tennessee, the right for victims to present victim impact statements, and to be heard, was granted as an avenue to remind jurors that victims exist as unique individuals. Despite concerns that victim impact statements may potentially impede the rights of defendants, their legal utilization has gone largely unchecked. To better understand this legal landscape, this article explores legislation across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the federal government to determine how victim impact statements are formalized across the country. These findings show that victim impact statements lack consistent implementation, providing unequal access for victims and defendants alike.