Victim Impact Panels

To increase drunk drivers’ understanding of the consequences of their actions, many communities use victim impact panels (VIPs) as one sanction against DWI offenders. VIPs are community meetings where victims and/or witnesses describe the experiences they or loved ones have endured due to the actions of drunk drivers. Drunk driving offenders can be required to attend the meetings as part of their court sentences. In some jurisdictions, attending VIPs is part of a diversion program for first offenders only. In others, such as Snohomish County, Washington, it is part of the sentence for DWI conviction. The meetings usually convene for a couple of hours about once a month.

Where Are Victim Impact Panels Used?

Hundreds of counties in as many as 34 states, the District of Columbia and the Navajo Nation hold victim impact panels. In Texas in 2001, there were 60 impact panels conducted with 110 panelists participating (Texas Department of Criminal Justice 2002).

Victim Impact Panels are used in some jurisdictions practicing restorative justice as rehabilitation for offenders.

How Effective Are Victim Impact Panels?

A 2000 study in New Mexico found these panels have no measurable and consistent impact on recidivism (C’de Baca). Another 2001 study followed two groups, one attending DWI school and one attending DWI school and VIP, and found no additional effect of the VIP on recidivism (Polascek et al.). Other reports do identify a positive benefit to victims participating as panelists, in that they experienced reduced anxiety and depression and improved psychological well-being.

Some states charge offenders for the cost of these programs. In Louisiana, offenders pay $50.00 to MADD to attend a victim impact panel (Louisiana Department of Public Safety). In the state of Oklahoma, a fee of $15 paid by the offender has made the program conducted by Victim Impact Panels of Oklahoma, Inc., self-sufficient. The VIP programs are operated throughout the state, and a study conducted after the first year showed a recidivism rate of less than 10 percent in Oklahoma County, where the program was initiated.

C'de Baca, J., Lapham, S.C., Paine, S., and Skipper, B.J. 2000. Victim impact panels: Who is sentenced to attend? Does attendance affect recidivism of first-time DWI offenders? Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 24(9): 1420–1426.

Fors, S.W, and Rojek, D.G. 1999. The effect of victim impact panels on DUI/DWI re-arrest rates: A twelve-month follow-up. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 60(4): 514–520.

Polacsek, M., Rogers, E.M., Woodall, W.G., Delaney, H., Wheller, D., and Rao, N. 2000. MADD Victim Impact Panels and stages-of-change in drunk driving prevention. Journal of Studies on Alcohol 62(3): 344–350.

Louisiana Department of Public Safety website. 2002. Louisiana Victim Impact Panels. http://www.dps.state.la.us/tiger/victim.html.