NCJ Number
144956
Journal
Judicature Volume: 77 Issue: 2 Dated: (September-October 1993) Pages: 90-95
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Victim compensation as a criminal sanction has gained priority in the past decade.
Abstract
The principle of making offenders pay restitution is an integral part of virtually every criminal justice system in every culture throughout history. In the United States, traditionally, offender fines were paid to the government; payment to victims was an occasional afterthought. In 1982, Congress enacted the Victim and Witness Protection Act, an intention of which was to expand the use of victim restitution. Federal prosecutors have been instructed to advocate fully victims' right to restitution. Also, judicial application of the term "victim" has been broadened to include indirect as well as direct victims. However, enforcement must be increased before victim restitution can be considered fully incorporated into the Federal criminal justice system. The U.S. Courts National Fine Center, which was initiated in 1992, will help improve offender compliance with restitution orders. 48 footnotes