How does restitution work in PA?
Restitution is money the judge orders the offender to pay back to the victim/survivor at the time of sentencing, or a hearing afterwards. This money is for out of pocket expenses that can include medical bills, stolen cash or property, and/or insurance deductibles. Restitution does not cover pain and suffering.
What happens if you don’t pay restitution in PA?
Whenever the offender shall fail to make restitution within 20 days to a magisterial district judge, as ordered, the magisterial district judge shall declare the offender in contempt and forward the case to the court of common pleas.
What are the four types of restitution?
Q. Are there different types of restitution? There are three different types of restitution: restitution fines, parole revocation fines, and direct orders. The court can order all three types of restitution in the same case.
How do you get restitution in PA?
If you have a loss because of the crime and want the judge to order restitution for your losses, you will need to talk to the district attorney who is prosecuting the offender. An advocate from a Victim Service Program will give you a restitution form for you to complete.
How long do you have to pay back restitution?
Q: How Long Will The Defendant Have To Make Payments? A: Restitution judgments are in effect and enforced for 20 years beyond the period of incarceration. The restitution judgment acts as a lien against any property or assets the defendant has or will have in the future.
What is the process of restitution?
At sentencing, the judge then enters an “Order for Restitution,” directing the offender to reimburse victims for some or all of the offense-related financial losses. Compliance with the Order of Restitution automatically becomes a condition of the offender’s probation or supervised release.
Can you go to jail for not paying restitution in Pennsylvania?
If you owe fines, costs, or restitution to a magisterial district court or a court of common pleas and do not pay on time, you may be at risk of being arrested.
Can you be released from probation if you still owe restitution in PA?
Q: Do fines, costs, or restitution disappear if the defendant does not pay them before the end of probation? A: No. The defendant’s obligation to pay unpaid fines, costs, or restitution remains even after probation terminates.
What are the limitations of restitution?
Restitution has no statute of limitations. This means that there is no time limit for collection. It is an outstanding debt even after you are discharged from CDCR’s jurisdiction.
How is restitution payments calculated?
Restitution is calculated by totaling the financial losses suffered by the victim of a crime. Different states use different systems. Restitution usually includes things like property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and other costs.