What is a restitution payment?

Restitution refers to payments made by an offender to a victim as a means of compensating the victim for the wrongful acts of the offender, according to The National Center for Victims of Crime. Convicted offenders may be ordered to pay restitution as part of the sentencing process.

As of 2015, it is a requirement in one-third of states for the victims of some types of crimes -especially violent felony offenses- to be compensated by the perpetrator of the crime, notes The National Center for Victims of Crime. Restitution may be used to cover losses related to the crime, including lost wages, damage to property, cleaning up the crime scene, medical expenses and insurance deductibles.