Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 2248: Mandatory restitution

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute requires courts to order defendants to pay restitution to crime victims for losses caused by the offense, including medical care, lost income, and other damages. Restitution is mandatory and enforced through court procedures.

Read the full statutory text
Notwithstanding section 3663 or 3663A, and in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty authorized by law, the court shall order restitution for any offense under this chapter. The order of restitution under this section shall direct the defendant to pay to the victim (through the appropriate court mechanism) the full amount of the victim’s losses as determined by the court pursuant to paragraph (2). An order of restitution under this section shall be issued and enforced in accordance with section 3664 in the same manner as an order under section 3663A. medical services relating to physical, psychiatric, or psychological care; physical and occupational therapy or rehabilitation; necessary transportation, temporary housing, and child care expenses; lost income; attorneys’ fees, plus any costs incurred in obtaining a civil protection order; and any other losses suffered by the victim as a proximate result of the offense. The issuance of a restitution order under this section is mandatory. the economic circumstances of the defendant; or the fact that a victim has, or is entitled to, receive compensation for his or her injuries from the proceeds of insurance or any other source. For purposes of this section, the term “victim” means the individual harmed as a result of a commission of a crime under this chapter, including, in the case of a victim who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardian of the victim or representative of the victim’s estate, another family member, or any other person appointed as suitable by the court, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such representative or guardian.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.