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Utah Juvenile Court's Community Service & Restitution Work Programs

NCJ Number
170240
Date Published
1997
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The Restitution and Community Service Program of Utah's juvenile courts is designed to compensate individual victims for their loss as a result of juvenile crime, compensate the community for its collective loss through community service, sanction individual juvenile offenders by holding them accountable for illegal acts, and provide an opportunity for successful work experiences for eligible juvenile offenders ordered to pay restitution or complete community service.
Abstract
Certain offenses likely to result in an order of restitution by juvenile courts include theft, shoplifting, property destruction, burglary, and car theft. Since 1970, restitution ordered and collected by juvenile courts has grown significantly. Such growth indicates the increasing tendency of juvenile courts to consider the victim and include restitution as part of the young person's rehabilitation. When a victim is identified in a case or loss is indicated, a latter is sent to the victim requesting a complete description of the loss. Victim claims are always solicited, verified, and considered by both probation and court officials. When restitution is ordered, it is paid to the Clerk of the Court and a check is issued directly to the victim on behalf of the juvenile offender. The Utah Legislature has authorized juvenile courts to withhold 25 percent of fine monies collected to create a rehabilitative employment program in which young people can work in community service projects to earn credit from the fund toward satisfying victim obligations. In addition to orders of victim restitution and fines, juvenile courts impose a significant amount of community service hours, either as an alternative to a fine or as direct compensation to the community at large. Data are provided on restitution collected and returned to victims in Utah between 1970 and 1996, community service hours completed between 1975 and 1996, and fines and fees collected between 1970 and 1996. Recent accomplishments of the Restitution and Community Service Program are noted, as well as relevant laws, rules, and policies. 3 figures