Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

victim impact statement

I am confused. I received from the prosecutor a victim impact statment. I filled out all the necessary paperwork. Time was very limited as the incident happened in another county. I had to overnight the paperwork to be assured it would get there before the arraingment. The prosecutor told the judge he had not received my victim statement, which was a lie. I made sure the post office required a signature and it was rec'd by his office the day before the arraingment. I am wondering why would a prosecutor lie to a judge? Should I write the judge a letter with my paperwork and proof of when they rec'd the paperwork and also the name of the person who signed for it? The prosecutor also said my paperwork didn't matter or what I had requested for a sentence. I am confused to Why they would send me the paperwork to fill out in the first place. Why wouldn't it matter being the victim? I have a real problem with with a prosecutor not being honest to the judge. How do I handle this?


Asked on 6/15/07, 1:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: victim impact statement

I am very sorry to hear of this incident. In my years in court I've always been amazed at the callousness of many prosecutors to the victims they are supposedly protecting. It is possible that in this instance there was a simple mistake. While someone in the office may have signed for what you sent it is possible that it didn't find its way to the correct prosecutor in time. If you are certain that did not happen then a prosecutor (or any attorney) lying to the judge is not allowed. You should contact the WSBA at www.wsba.org and make a complaint.

At your service,

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Answered on 6/15/07, 4:15 pm


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