What is meant by restitution? Be sure to fully explain your answer

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Crime victims in the United States suffer tangible losses of over $105 billion every year. Part of that loss is returned or restored by the very people who caused the harm in the first place. Restitution is defined as court-ordered payment by the offender to the victim, or the victim's family, to cover tangible losses that occurred during or following the crime. Two different beneficiaries include the community and the victim, and payment is either monetary or in the form of community service. The money or services offered by the offender help rehabilitate the victim financially. Restitution is also designed to be an act of atonement for the criminal act.
States have broadened the types of losses eligible for compensation as well as the parties eligible to receive restitution. Restitution is available for the purpose of lost income as a result of physical injury or time in court, medical expenses, transportation to and from the courthouse, necessary child care during litigation, expenses involving the investigation and prosecution of the case, counseling sessions, sexual assault exams, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, occupational and rehabilitative therapy, moving expenses, case-related travel and meal expenses, and burial expenses. Restitution may also be ordered for psychological counseling in cases in which the victim suffered physical injury (United States v. Laney, 1999). Restitution is limited to the replacement value of direct or actual losses as a result of the crime and cannot be ordered for losses defined as indirect or consequential, such as victims' attorney fees.