Victim families get say in court

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Families of murder and manslaughter victims will be able to describe their grief and loss in court under a scheme being rolled out in England and Wales.

The use of "impact statements" has been trialled in five areas since April 2006 and will now be expanded.

The statements are read out after the verdict and before sentencing.

Critics argue that they make an already emotional situation worse, but the attorney general has insisted they help judges see the true effect of a crime.

Lord Goldsmith acknowledged that the statements could influence the punishment given.

"Where the impact has been significant then that will affect the sentence and in some other cases it may not," he said.

From October, the chance to write a statement will also be given to families who have lost someone through dangerous or careless driving.

'Priceless'

Some critics argue that the Victim's Advocate scheme creates a two-tier system of punishment in which tougher sentences are given to offenders who have killed someone whose relatives are more eloquent.

But Lord Goldsmith denied this and said every family would be offered help from experienced prosecutors to draw up their statement.

It's about everyone in the courtroom hearing, including the defendant and their family Ed Usher, Victims' Voice

"In a case where there isn't a single impact statement judges will still proceed on the basis that a human life is priceless," he said.

Ed Usher, trustee of campaign group Victims' Voice, said the scheme gave families a vital opportunity to have their say.

"So much of the court process is focused on the defendant, but this gives families a chance to talk about the victim and their character and that's very important.

"It's about everyone in the courtroom hearing too, including the defendant and their family."

Under the pilot scheme relatives could appoint their own advocate to read out the statement or read it out themselves, but these options do not form part of the roll-out.

The pilot ran at the Old Bailey in London and at crown courts in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester and Winchester.