One recent study examined victim impact statements and their ability to reduce repeat offenses of drunk driving (Rojek, 1999).

The study looked at those who had been arrested and convicted of drunk driving in which an accident occurred. It examined those who had been rearrested after being in attendance for a victim impact statement program and compared them to those who had been rearrested but had never been exposed to a victim impact statement program.

The study concluded that those who had been exposed to a victim impact statement with regard to their offense had a lower rearrest rate than those who had not heard victim impact statements.

The study examined the results of those who did not receive victim impact statements and found that legal punishment was often the only consequence of driving while under the influence (Rojek, 1999).

By contrast, VIPs address the emotional component of the DUI...
[ View Full Essay]