Restitution Enforcement/Victim Services Division


The Restitution Enforcement/Victim Services Division provides services that meet the material, emotional and informational needs of crime victims and witnesses. During 2008, these services reached more than 15,000 victims of crime in San Diego County.

Led by Division Chief Kim-Thoa Hoang and Victim Assistance Program Director Cindy Charlebois, the work done by staff in this division allows for faster and more complete recovery from the effects of crime. Services provided by the division include:

As experts on restitution issues, attorneys, paralegals, and the senior probation officer in the division either handled or provided direct assistance to District Attorney staff and victims in more than 6,000 cases affecting more than $80 million in restitution during 2008.

The Victim Assistance Program offers comprehensive services to victims of all types of crimes pursuant to California and federal law. Mandatory and optional services are provided to crime victims even when a suspect is not apprehended or prosecuted. The program seeks to reduce the trauma and insensitivity that victims may experience following the aftermath of a crime.

Victim Assistance Program
Activity CY 2008
Victims Assisted 15,116
Emergency Assists 944
Crisis Interventions 2,594
Resource & Referrals 13,399
Court Escort/Support 846
Follow-up/Counseling 3,398
Case Status/Dispositions 7,103
Victim Claims Submitted 1,295
Restitution Claims Unit
Claims Processed 1,223
Bills Processed 3,442
Restitution Paid from State Fund $2,064,483
Restitution Recovery Unit
Restitution Fines $850,583
Restitution Orders to State 166
Total Ordered to State $882,690
Restitution Orders to Victims 1,180
Total Ordered to Victims $10,823,763

One notable restitution hearing handled in 2008 resulted in a restitution order in the amount of $1 million for past and prospective medical bills and loss of future wages in a vehicular manslaughter case.

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