The principal victim's appearance right, however, is the right to provide the court with a victim's impact statement during sentencing of the criminal defendant. A similar right to an impact statement is provided in parole proceedings. The victim may provide a written statement, deliver a statement orally in the sentenc-ing or parole proceeding, or both. The statement is a broad review of the impact of the crime upon the victim, and may include an opinion as to the appropriate sentence or disposition of the criminal defendant. The statement is part of the information available to the court or parole board for determining the disposi-tion of the defendant.
Law enforcement is obligated, initially, to give victims information on their rights under the law.
Law enforce-ment, also, must give victims information about individuals taken into custody and about their disposition. Law enforcement must also provide victims with information about support services that are available. If there is an appeal or petition for a post-conviction remedy, the attorney general or appropriate state agency must provide victims with information on those proceedings. Once there is a sentenced defendant, the corrections agency provides information, at a victim's request, respect-ing release, parole, or any other dispostion decision that might be made in the correctional setting. The information that the victim receives helps the victim implement his or her other rights.