Judges are set to gain expanded authority to enforce stricter penalties against convicted offenders who decline to participate in victim impact statements during sentencing proceedings. The move aims to address cases where defendants opt out of confronting victims’ families, potentially altering how courts handle such refusals. Legal experts suggest the changes could reshape sentencing dynamics by prioritizing accountability in the judicial process. The update reflects growing calls for measures that ensure victims’ voices remain central in criminal proceedings.
Judges will be given new powers to impose tougher prison punishments on offenders who refuse to face their victims' families during sentencing.
