restitution
Quick Summary
Restitution in law refers to the act of compensating a victim for loss or injury caused by another's wrongful actions. It is a core component of restorative justice, which aims to restore harmony by bringing together victims, offenders, and the community to resolve issues arising from a crime.1234
Instead of solely focusing on punishment, restitution emphasizes the offender's accountability to the victim and community. This can involve paying for lost property, repaying stolen money, or covering medical costs resulting from an injury. The goal is to place the injured party in the position they would have been in had the wrong not occurred, as far as monetary compensation allows. Restitution can also serve as a deterrent by removing the profit motive from criminal activity.452
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
retributive justiceHistory of retributionIn the Twelve Tables, restitution was the sanction of choice for most crimes, and victim retaliation was tolerated only when attempts to obtain restitution had failed. In many respects, the Twelve Tables indicated the beginning of state-involved justice.
Read MoreIn the Twelve Tables, restitution was the sanction of choice for most crimes, and victim retaliation was tolerated only when attempts to obtain restitution had failed. In many respects, the Twelve Tables indicated the beginning of state-involved justice.
Read More
retributive justiceHistory of retribution…or their families could expect restitution, and private revenge was undesirable because such vengeance had often been met with additional violence. Wergilds were paid to the victims or their families, and more serious injuries meant paying a higher wergild. The highest wergild was paid for homicide, the smallest for injuries…
Read More…or their families could expect restitution, and private revenge was undesirable because such vengeance had often been met with additional violence. Wergilds were paid to the victims or their families, and more serious injuries meant paying a higher wergild. The highest wergild was paid for homicide, the smallest for injuries…
Read More
retributive justiceHistory of retribution…calling for the reinstatement of restitution, claiming that it was important for victims, but retribution remained the dominant philosophy. Owing in part to the victims’ rights movement launched in the 1970s, the justice system began to incorporate restorative justice initiatives. Although those initiatives have been successful with juveniles and in…
Read More…calling for the reinstatement of restitution, claiming that it was important for victims, but retribution remained the dominant philosophy. Owing in part to the victims’ rights movement launched in the 1970s, the justice system began to incorporate restorative justice initiatives. Although those initiatives have been successful with juveniles and in…
Read More
