A Community Impact Statement can be prepared in several ways. Citizens can come together to draft a statement; individuals can write statements that can be edited and combined into one statement signed by all; or many residents can write short impact statements that are stapled together and presented to the court as a packet. If members of the community want to present a Victim Impact Statement, it’s important for them to contact the prosecuting attorney’s office to find out if it is permissible. Victim Impact Statements at Parole Hearings Most states allow Victim Impact Statements at parole hearings of offenders. Your original statement may not always be included in the convicted offender’s corrections file even though the law states it should be. You will want to be sure it is filed, but you may also want to present an updated Victim Impact Statement when the offender comes up for parole. To assure that you will be notified, keep the parole board updated with your current contact information. Some states have a system of notification called VINE, which stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. The system allows victims to find out the custody status of the offender. You can access the information online at www.vinelink.com. Call your MADD Victim Advocate or prosecutor’s office if you have questions and to assure that you will be informed when the offender is eligible for parole. Your revised statement should include new physical, emotional, or financial consequences of the crime since sentencing was imposed. It should also include any evidence of unwanted communication you have received from the offender or the offender’s representatives. If parole hearings are conducted in a location far from where you live, a video or audiotaped statement may be prepared if allowed by state law.
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