What is a victim impact statement?

Texas law gives you the right to complete a victim impact statement. In this statement you can explain to the judge how the crime affected you and your family physically, emotionally, and financially. The statement is your voice when the defendant is sentenced, whether he enters a plea bargain agreement or is convicted at trial. You may write your own statement on a form from the victim assistance coordinator of my office. Do not send the statement directly to the judge; instead, return it to the prosecutor or victim assistance coordinator. Although Texas law applies these rights only to victims of violent crime, my office policy is that we welcome this information from every crime victim.