Restitution
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Plain-English Meaning
Money ordered by a court to be paid by a defendant to a victim to compensate for losses caused by the crime. Restitution is about making the victim whole, not punishing the defendant.
Legal Context
Under N.Y. Penal Law § 60.27, a court must consider ordering restitution in every case and shall order it where the defendant has caused actual out-of-pocket losses. Restitution covers medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other economic harm. It is separate from a civil lawsuit — the defendant can be ordered to pay restitution in the criminal case and also be sued civilly. Failure to pay restitution can result in additional consequences.
Real-Life Example
After pleading guilty to criminal mischief for breaking a storefront window, Kevin was ordered to pay $650 in restitution directly to the store owner for the cost of replacing the glass — in addition to a $250 fine payable to the court.
Related Statutes
Related Terms
Source
Based on N.Y. Penal Law § 60.27. Original B-Legal plain-language explanation.
N.Y. Penal Law § 60.27
Definitions are simplified for education. Legal meanings vary by jurisdiction, context, and case facts. This definition is original B-Legal content and is not affiliated with or derived from any proprietary legal dictionary.