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May 15th, 2009

Skagit County District Court Probation reaches $500,000 milestone in restitution collected for victims of crime

SKAGIT COUNTY - On April 6, 2009, Skagit County District Court Probation reached a very important milestone. That day marked the receipt of over $500,000.00 in restitution collected for victims of crime in Skagit County over the past twenty-five years.

Restitution is the act of making good or giving an equivalent for any loss, damage, or injury. Since 1984 and earlier, the Probation Department has been entrusted by District Court with the responsibility of holding offenders accountable to paying victims restitution.

The amounts ordered by the court vary from a few dollars to over ten thousand. When restitution is ordered by the court, the Probation Officer meets with the defendant and sets up a payment plan. Most payment plans are set up to pay off the full sum in less than two years because many court orders terminate in two years. Monthly payments are made by defendants to the Probation Department which, in turn, makes payments to victims.

District Court Probation Officers take the responsibility of restitution collection very seriously as it is one way that an offender can make amends for the crime they have committed, and the victim can be made whole again to the greatest extent possible.

For further information, contact: Dan Berentson

360-419-3461