One of the most powerful crime fighting tools is an active, engaged neighborhood. When residents, visitors or businesses supply Neighborhood Impact Statements about how a particular crime or conduct has impacted them or their neighborhood, that statement can be used to help the Court understand a particular case. The Circuit Attorney uses that information both at bond hearings and at sentencing to help the Court realize the real-life ripple effect of crime. A sample Neighborhood Impact Statement is included on this site.

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All impact statements must be hand delivered to our office or mailed to 447 N. Euclid, St. Louis, MO 63108. We cannot accept emailed or faxed impact statements because a signature is required. To submit an impact statement, you must have completed the Advocacy Volunteer training. Contact your neighborhood advocate for more.

 

Consider how crimes, such as the one you are referencing, have:

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• affected your neighborhood/community

• affected area business

• affected property value

• affected residents and their children

 

Here is some information about the content your Neighborhood Impact Statement should include:

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• Honorable Judge XYZ

      Division #
      22nd Judicial Circuit

    

Re: State vs. defendant’s name, Cause No.

Dear Judge XYZ:

 

• Basic rules:

  • Always respectful to the Court

  • No insults to a particular defendant

  • No insults to a particular defense attorney

  • Can never tell a judge what to do, can only tell them how a crime has impacted you or your neighborhood

  • Do not have to give your address

  • Some judges may require signed letters (if so try to get a petition form)

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• Sample ideas (consider one or more of these):

  • Citizen of Forest Park Southeast

  • How long you lived or worked in FPSE

  • How drug dealing impacts FPSE:

    • people leave area rather than deal with traffic

    • constant foot/vehicle traffic

    • fear of threats

    • fear of robbery

    • loss of businesses

    • loss of confidence in system and police

  • personal stories of drug deals or use you’ve witnessed