Describe the importance of victim impact statements to the sentencing process and to the crime victim. What is the history of the victim impact statement?
What will be an ideal response?
Victim impact statements were created in 1973 by James Rowland, the chief probation officer in Fresno County, CA. The goal was to provide the court with an object listing of injuries (financial, emotional, psychological, physical and mental) suffered by crime victims before sentencing. Since 1973, states have statutes requiring that VIS become part of sentencing record if victim chooses to do so. In 1982 President's Task Force Report proposed legislation that required victim impact statements at sentencing. Students could possible include the court cases in text (See pages 92-96 in text book).
The VIS provides crime victims with a sense of participation in the system and makes sure that the courts have all necessary information to determine appropriate sentence. It helps in the restoration of crime victims.
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Which of the following refers to a wrongful act or deed?
a. mens rea b. nolo contendere c. nolle prosequi d. actus reus
In eighteenth century England and its American colonies, government officers armed with _________________________ could command local peace officers or nearby persons to help in entering a business premises or home to search for goods that were
untaxed. Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
In most jurisdictions first-degree murder would include
a. murder committed with premeditation and deliberation b. murder committed with atrocity or cruelty c. committed by torture d. any of the above
Many factors contribute to IPV: individual, relationship, and community/societal. Which of the following is an example of a community/societal factor that contributes to IPV?
a. male dominance in family b. armed conflict c. low level of education d. harmful use of alcohol/drugs