Restitution Definition in Law: Civil and Criminal Cases Restitution is a legal remedy that requires a wrongdoer to give back what they gained or compensate for what their victim lost In civil law, that often means reversing unjust enrichment; in criminal law, it means a court-ordered payment from the offender to the victim as part of a sentence
Restitution - King County, Washington If you were listed as a victim, and had an out-of-pocket financial loss because of a crime, you have a right to request restitution from the defendant Restitution covers any type of monetary loss you have had due to the crime including medical bills, counseling bills, and property loss
restitution | Wex | US Law | LII Legal Information Institute Restitution refers to both the return of something wrongfully taken, and to compensate for loss or injury In civil cases, restitution is a remedy most often associated with unjust enrichment, where recovery is measured by the defendant’s gain rather than the plaintiff’s loss
What Happens at a Restitution Hearing: How It Works Restitution hearings determine what a defendant owes a victim — here's what both sides should expect and how a judge reaches a decision A restitution hearing is a court proceeding where a judge determines how much money a defendant owes a crime victim for financial losses
Restitution Meaning in Law: Clear Definition (2026) Restitution means repaying someone for a loss caused by another person’s wrongful act or crime In legal contexts, it refers to a court-ordered payment designed to restore the victim — or wronged party — to the financial position they held before the harm occurred
Criminal Division | Restitution Process A court may also decline to order restitution if it finds that determining restitution in a case is too complex At sentencing, the judge then enters an "Order for Restitution," directing the offender to reimburse victims for some or all of the offense-related financial losses