Restitution And Unemployed Offenders
Most sentences in cases in which people have lost property or suffered injury requiring medical treatment include restitution. However, since majorities of the offenders are unemployed or underemployed — meaning they work a low-end job and barely make ends meet getting the extra money from them to pass along to their victims can be almost impossible.
That doesn’t mean state Probation and Parole agents aren’t committed to getting victims all of the money they have coming to them. “I do hate it when they don’t get back 100 percent. But the main problem is a lot of (the offenders) don’t have jobs or don’t have good jobs,” said Pam Morgan, Shreveport Probation and Parole office district administrator.
Restitution typically is spelled out in the
judge’s order. However, it’s up to probation agents to set up the payment schedule, which also includes fees paid for probation supervision. State law limits probation fees to no more than $125 a month. Most average about $65.
A victim has the option of seeking a monetary judgment against the defendant through civil court. The judgment becomes part of the public record; and if the offender secures employment or mortgages a house, he would be forced by the civil lawsuit to fork over money to the victim or even face garnishment of wages.
That doesn’t mean state Probation and Parole agents aren’t committed to getting victims all of the money they have coming to them. “I do hate it when they don’t get back 100 percent. But the main problem is a lot of (the offenders) don’t have jobs or don’t have good jobs,” said Pam Morgan, Shreveport Probation and Parole office district administrator.
Restitution typically is spelled out in the
judge’s order. However, it’s up to probation agents to set up the payment schedule, which also includes fees paid for probation supervision. State law limits probation fees to no more than $125 a month. Most average about $65.
A victim has the option of seeking a monetary judgment against the defendant through civil court. The judgment becomes part of the public record; and if the offender secures employment or mortgages a house, he would be forced by the civil lawsuit to fork over money to the victim or even face garnishment of wages.