<P> In general terms, the person making the statement is allowed to discuss specifically the direct harm or trauma they have suffered and problems that have resulted from the crime such as loss of income . Some jurisdictions allow for attaching medical and psychiatric reports that demonstrate harm to the victim . They can also discuss the impact the crime has had on their ambitions or plans for the future, and how this also impacted their extended family . </P> <P> Some jurisdictions permit statements to express what they deem to be an appropriate punishment or sentence for the criminal . </P> <P> Some jurisdictions expressly forbid any proposal or suggestion on punishment or sentencing . Among other reasons, this is because the sentencing process is solely the domain of the judge who considers many more factors than harm to victims . Allowing suggestions on punishment or sentence can create a false hope of the eventual sentence and undermine the notion of restorative justice . </P> <P> In civil cases, a victim impact statement may be used to determine how much is awarded to the plaintiff . </P>

Where did victim-impact statements originate why were victim-impact statements granted