 Restitution Program Designed
to Make Criminals Pay, Not VictimsCrime shouldn’t pay! Unfortunately, many citizens have learned the hard way that crime often does pay. The Restitution Program in the Office of the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney is trying to change that. Frequently when judges probate the sentence of a criminal who has caused a financial loss to a victim, they generally order criminals to pay restitution to the victims who suffered the loss. However, many of these defendants do not make those restitution payments, and do not suffer any consequences. The defendants soon learn that they do not need to follow through on their obligations, and victims quickly learn not to expect payment for their losses caused by the criminals. What is the Commonwealth’s Attorney's Office doing to try to improve the system? In November, 1996, Lisa Fitch began her work as the Restitution Program Coordinator for the Office of the Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney. Since then Lisa has developed a program by which victims' losses may be established and recorded in a timely and accurate manner. In addition, the restitution format will detect delinquencies in restitution payments. Because Lisa works closely with prosecutors, victim’s advocates, probation officers and judges, she will be able to quickly communicate this information to everyone involved so that they can promptly act on it. It is hoped that the Restitution Program will cause criminals to be held responsible for the financial losses caused by their crimes. Victims should not have to pay for the actions of criminals. Criminals should! |
