Restitution Unit

California’s State Constitution provides: “All persons who suffer losses as a result of criminal activity shall have the right to restitution …” California Constitution, Article I, Section 28. But, what is restitution?

Restitution is an order made by the Judge as part of the defendant’s sentence that requires the defendant to repay the crime victim for losses suffered as a result of the defendant’s criminal conduct. Restitution may include, but is not limited to:

  • the replacement or repair cost of stolen or damaged property
  • funeral expenses
  • ambulance or hospital bills
  • counseling and therapy expenses
  • relocation expenses
  • and lost wages for time spent assisting the police or prosecution.

More Information

HOW CAN I CLAIM RESTITUTION?

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has a dedicated Restitution Unit to assist victims with their restitution claims. Within 48 hours of the filing of each new criminal case, the DA’s office mails a restitution claim form to every identified victim of crime. The form may be returned to the District Attorney, along with any bills or receipts, to initiate a restitution claim. Once the claim is received, it is entered into our database and placed in the DA case file. The claim form and all victim information are entirely confidential. If the case results in a criminal conviction, the District Attorney will present the victim’s restitution claim to the sentencing judge and request that the defendant’s sentence include an order of repayment to the victim.

 

HOW DOES RESTITUTION GET PAID?

Once the judge orders restitution, the order is sent to one of our collection partners – either Alameda County Central Collections (if the defendant is granted probation), or the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (if the defendant is sentenced to prison). These two entities will then collect money from the defendant, based on their ability to pay, and send the money to the victim until the restitution is paid in full. 

There is no need for the victim to have any contact with the defendant in order to receive these funds.

WHAT IF THE DEFENDANT REFUSES TO PAY RESTITUTION?

Refusal to pay restitution, if the defendant has the ability to pay, can form the basis for revocation of the defendant’s probation and imposition of additional jail or prison time. The District Attorney actively monitors probation cases where restitution of more than $1,000 is ordered. It is not uncommon for the District Attorney to recommend revocation and imposition of additional jail or prison time for defendants who are not complying with a court’s restitution order. In 2009, the District Attorney’s office made well over 2,500 court appearances for restitution progress reports alone.

SO, DOES ANYONE EVER GET PAID?

Yes, they do. Of course, the District Attorney cannot guarantee full repayment of each and every criminal restitution order. 

But, in the ten year period from 2007 to 2017, the Alameda County District Attorney obtained $140 million in restitution orders on behalf of crime victims in Alameda County.

For our innovative work in seeking restitution on behalf of crime victims, our Restitution Unit was honored in 2007 by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) with an Award of Merit for innovation and leadership in the area of victim restitution – one of only 11 Awards of Merit made that entire year to California counties with population of 750,000 or more.

GETTING BETTER ALL THE TIME

We are not resting on our past achievements. Our Restitution Unit remains a model for the rest of the State and regularly conducts training for other DA’s offices throughout California.

If you have a question regarding criminal restitution, please contact the District Attorney’s Restitution Hotline at (510) 272-6299.