Regional Newsletter

V I C T I M I MPAC T S TAT EMENT S

A victim impact statement is your opportunity to describe to the court the physical , emotional and f inancial effects that the crime had on you and your fami ly . As a crime victim , you have the right to give a victim impact statement to the court at the time of the sentencing of the defendant . No one knows better than you how this crime may have changed your l i fe and your victim impact statement wi l l help the judge understand how the crime has affected your l i fe . The victim impact statement can also provide information useful in determining court - ordered restitution . You may stand up in court and read your statement yoursel f , or have someone read it on your behal f , such as a fami ly member , friend , or Victim Services Advocate . Even i f you don ’ t plan on attending the sentencing hearing , you may provide your written victim impact statement to be read at the hearing or included in the off icial court f i le . I f you wi l l be reading a statement in court , it may be helpful to write it down . This may be a stressful time and as a result , you may forget some of the things you wanted to say . I f you would l ike assistance preparing your victim impact statement , you can contact your local MADD off ice to speak with an advocate . For more helpful tips on writing victim impact statement , please fol low this l ink https : / / onl ine . f l ippingbook . com / view / 919936 / .

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Increasing understanding of brain injury as a chronic condition Reducing the stigma associated with having a brain injury Showcasing the diversity of injury and the demographics of the community Improving care and support for individuals with brain injury and their families Join the # MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign and help educate others about what it ’ s like to live with a brain injury . We want everyone , everywhere to join us in : There are more than 5 . 3 million children and adults in the United States who are living with a permanent brain injury - related disability . That ’ s one in every 60 people . If you know someone who is living with brain injury – or if you have one yourself – you know that brain injury is not an event or an outcome . It ’ s the start of a misunderstood , misdiagnosed , underfunded neurological disease .

For additional supportive materials please visit our online MADD Virtual Library

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