15th Judicial Circuit
Serving the Citizens of Palm Beach County
In addition to any other punishment, the court shall order defendants to make restitution to victims for:
When an offense has resulted in bodily injury to a victim, a restitution order entered shall require the defendant to pay:
With the exception of domestic violence cases, cases prosecuted by this office in which there is a victim will have an accompanying Victim Impact Statement (VIS) sent by the prosecutor who is assigned to that case. The VIS will ask the victim to specify the amount of restitution (if any) the person(s) is out of pocket — any expense incurred as a result of criminal behavior by the defendant. Examples include but are not limited to: damage to property, stolen property, medical bills, lost wages, but not pain and suffering. This VIS is then sent back by the victim(s) to the prosecuting attorney and made part of the case file.
It is important that a victim of a crime keep track of any bills, out-of-pocket expenses and work missed, so that there is documentation. Please do not send the originals to the State Attorney’s Office; send copies to the prosecuting attorney unless instructed otherwise. If there is additional restitution, victims of crime should continue to update the prosecutor as the case progresses.
If the state and defense are unable to reach agreement as to the amount, a restitution hearing may be set during which the state must prove by a preponderance of the evidence the amount of loss sustained by the victim. The victim will need to come to court and testify if a restitution hearing is necessary.
If the defendant does not have the financial means to pay restitution, the Court may enter a civil restitution lien against the defendant. Generally, a person cannot be punished for not having the money to pay restitution. The civil restitution lien will attach to the defendant’s current assets and any future assets that may accrue to the defendant up to the full amount of the lien.
It is extremely unlikely, if a civil restitution lien is placed against a defendant, that a victim ever will recover the full amount of restitution entitled.
Victim(s) of crimes seeking restitution have a variety of services they can contact for help:
To learn more about how to collect a judgment. Clerk Self Help
Contact Palm Beach County Victim Services, on the 5th Floor of the main courthouse at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, (561) 355-2418. Victim advocates at this location can assist with a wide variety of services including how to seek restitution.
In addition, the Crimes Compensation Trust Fund (CCTF), Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol PL-01, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-414-3300) assists victim(s) of crime in securing restitution.
There are time limitations in addition to several other criteria. File claims as soon as possible.
15th Judicial Circuit - Palm Beach County, Florida
200 West Atlantic Ave., Suite 100
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
401 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
3188 PGA Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
38844 State Road 80
Belle Glade, Florida 33430
401 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
3188 PGA Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
200 West Atlantic Ave., Suite 100
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
38844 State Road 80
Belle Glade, Florida 33430
3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
401 North Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Main Number: 561-355-7100
Fax Number: 561-366-1800
StateAttorney@sa15.org
3188 PGA Blvd.
Palm Bch Gardens, FL 33418
Main Number: 561-624-6630
Fax Number: 561-624-6548
200 W. Atlantic Ave., Ste 100
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Main Number: 561-274-1490
Fax Number: 561-274-1498
38844 State Road 80
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Main Number: 561-996-4820
Fax Number: 561-992-1055
3228 Gun Club Road
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Main Number: 561-688-4640
Fax Number: 561-688-4646