Victim Impact Statements

1. A. Each victim, or members of the immediate family of each victim or person designated by the victim or by family members of the victim, may present a written victim impact statement or appear personally at the sentence proceeding and present the statements orally. Provided, however, if a victim or any member of the immediate family or person designated by the victim or by family members of a victim wishes to appear personally, such person shall have the absolute right to do so.
2. B. If a presentence investigation report is prepared, the person preparing the report shall consult with each victim or members of the immediate family or a designee of members of the immediate family if the victim is deceased, incapacitated or incompetent, and include any victim impact statements in the presentence investigation report. If the individual to be consulted cannot be located or declines to cooperate, a notation to that effect shall be included.
3. C. The judge shall make available to the parties copies of any victim impact statements.
4. D. In any case which is plea bargained, victim impact statements may be presented at the time of sentencing or attached to the district attorney narrative report. In determining the appropriate sentence, the court shall consider among other factors any victim impact statements if submitted to the jury, or the judge in the event a jury was waived.
5. E. The Department of Corrections and the Pardon and Parole Board, in deciding whether to release an individual on the Preparole Conditional Supervision Program or parole, shall consider any victim impact statements submitted to the jury, or the judge in the event a jury was waived.

Added by Laws 1992, SB 816, c. 136, § 8, emerg. eff. July 1, 1992; Amended by Laws 1993, SB 451, c. 325, § 18, emerg. eff. June 7, 1993.