Under CPL 380.50, who may request to make a victim statement?

Under CPL 380.50, who may request to make a victim statement?

• A. The defense
• B. The victim
• C. The prosecutor
• D. The judge

Answer: (B)

The right to be heard is granted to the crime victim, who may provide a victim impact statement for the court to consider at sentencing. This statement lets the court learn, firsthand, how the offense affected the victim and their family, including emotional and financial harm. Because this right belongs to the victim (or their designated representative), the person who may request to make a victim statement is the victim themselves. The defense, the prosecutor, and the judge are involved in the case in other ways, but they do not initiate the victim statement on the victim’s behalf.

The right to be heard is granted to the crime victim, who may provide a victim impact statement for the court to consider at sentencing. This statement lets the court learn, firsthand, how the offense affected the victim and their family, including emotional and financial harm. Because this right belongs to the victim (or their designated representative), the person who may request to make a victim statement is the victim themselves. The defense, the prosecutor, and the judge are involved in the case in other ways, but they do not initiate the victim statement on the victim’s behalf.