Questions:

·       What is the Victim Impact Panel (VIP)?

·       When are the panels held?

·       What are the Victim Impact Panel rules?

·       Is there a cost?

·       Can I reschedule?

·       How long does the panel last?

·       What if I miss the Victim Impact Panel date?

·       If I reside out of county or state can I attend a Victim Impact Panel closer to where I reside?

 

Answers:

 

What is the Victim Impact Panel (VIP)?

First Offender Victim Impact Panel - This is a panel comprised of speakers who are victims or family members of a victim of a drunk driver.  Each speaker tells their individual story and talks about how being a victim of a drunk driver has affected their life, their family, their career, their friendships etc.

Multiple Offender Panel – This is a panel for offenders who have been convicted of more than one DUI offense and have previously attended the First Offender Victim Impact Panel.  This panel consists of an Illinois State Police Trooper and a coroner.  The Multiple Offender program consists of lectures, slide presentations and videos regarding the deadly affects of drinking and driving. 

The panels are not open to the general public.

 

When is the panel held?

2013 Victim Impact Panel Schedule

February 6, 2013 – First Offender VIP

April 3, 2013 – Multiple Offender Panel

June 5, 2013 – First Offender VIP

August 7, 2013 – First Offender VIP

October 2, 2013 – Multiple Offender Panel

December 4, 2013 – First Offender VIP

Each panel is held at the Henry County Courthouse in the North Courtroom on the first floor and they both begin promptly at 6:00 P.M.  You must be signed up for a panel by your probation officer.

 

What are the Victim Impact Panel & Multiple Offender Panel Rules?

1. The panel will begin promptly at 6:00 P.M.; therefore, you need to arrive approximately 15 minutes early.  Rides will be required to wait outside of the building.
2. If you are late, you will not be admitted.
3. Drinking or illicit drug use prior to attendance is strictly prohibited.  You shall submit to a breathalyzer as requested.
4. No food, drink or gum is allowed inside the courtroom.
5. You must bring identification with you.
6. You must pay ($10 for First Offender VIP & $25 for Multiple Offender Panel) cash before you will be admitted.  Coins will NOT be accepted and change can not be made for large bills.
7. Failure to attend and/or not be admitted will be a violation of your court order.

 

Is there a cost?

First Offender Victim Impact Panel - $10 cash

Multiple Offender Panel - $25 cash

This is paid the date of the panel.  This is NOT a fee paid to the clerk or a probation fee.  Please refer to the panel rules for more information regarding payments.

 

Can I reschedule?

The only person able to reschedule a Victim Impact Panel or Multiple Offender Panel is the sentencing judge.

How long does the panel last?

First Offender Victim Impact Panel – 1 hour

Multiple Offender Panel – 2 hours

 

What if I miss the Victim Impact Panel or Multiple Offender Panel date?

Call your probation officer immediately at (309) 937-3580.  The court will be notified of your failure to attend as scheduled and you will receive a notice to appear in court.

 

If I reside of out of county or state can I attend a Victim Impact Panel closer to where I reside?

You must have permission from the sentencing judge to attend a Victim Impact Panel in another county or state.  If the judge approves this, Henry County Court Services will contact the agency where you would like to attend and will give you instructions on how to get scheduled for the panel.