do you think victim impact statements correctly allow victims a voice in the process or just add unnecessary emotionalism?

A victim impact statement is a written or verbal statement made by a victim of a crime that describes the emotional, physical, and financial harm they have suffered as a result of the crime. The statement is usually submitted to a court during the sentencing phase of a criminal trial and can be used to provide a personal account of the impact of the crime on the victim's life.

The concept of victim impact statements is centered on the idea that victims of crime have a right to be heard and to have their experiences acknowledged within the criminal justice process. By providing a personal account of the impact of a crime, victim impact statements can give voice to victims and help to humanize the effects of crime.

Emotionalism is the tendency to rely heavily on emotions, rather than reason and evidence, in making decisions or forming opinions. It often involves allowing emotions to influence the way we think and act, leading to decisions or opinions that are based on feelings rather than facts. Emotionalism can result in irrational or exaggerated responses, and can also detract from the impartial and objective evaluation of information and situations.