CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: Provides that victims be allowed to directly address a defendant when providing a victim impact statement. (8/1/24)

This bill allows crime victims to speak directly to the defendant while delivering a victim impact statement in court. It requires judges to permit these statements to be addressed to the accused, provided the courtroom remains orderly and the defendant is present. If there are more than three family members wanting to speak, the judge can limit the number of in-court statements to maintain decorum. The law also gives the state the option to ask the judge to hear these statements privately if necessary.