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:
- Crisis intervention
- Referrals
- Counseling
- Claim submission
- Court support
- Restitution assistance
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 |
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|
| Restitution Claims Unit | |
| Claims Processed | 1,223 |
| Bills Processed | 3,442 |
| Restitution Paid from State Fund | $2,064,483 |
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| 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.
