A DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panel is a small group of 2-4 persons who speak briefly about a vehicle crash caused by an impaired or intoxicated driver in which they were injured or in which a friend or family member was injured or killed. Persons who have been charged with DUI/DWI criminal offenses are often required to attend a Victim Impact Panel to better understand and remember the devastating consequences of driving while impaired or intoxicated.
Victims who speak at Victim Impact Panels do not blame or judge the people listening and only seek to share their own tragic stories in a way that may help others understand the lasting effects of impaired driving—while giving the speakers the opportunity to heal and find some small amount of meaning in their tragedies.
Victim Impact Panels are available both live and online and are sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
In Texas, DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panels are part of the educational and rehabilitative measures used in the legal system to address the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These panels are typically organized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and serve as a court-mandated requirement for individuals convicted of DUI/DWI offenses. The purpose of these panels is to provide offenders with firsthand accounts from victims or their families about the emotional, physical, and financial impacts of DUI/DWI-related incidents. The goal is to foster empathy and understanding in offenders, with the hope of preventing future incidents. Participation in a Victim Impact Panel may be a condition of probation or part of a diversion program. Texas law supports the use of such panels as a means to educate offenders about the serious repercussions of impaired driving. Both live and online options for attending these panels are available to accommodate various individuals' circumstances.
