Massachusetts § 92A - Restitution in cases involving motor vehicle theft or fraudulent claims

§ 92A. Restitution in cases involving motor vehicle theft or fraudulent claims

Section 92A. A person found guilty of violating the provisions of sections twenty-seven, twenty-eight, one hundred and eleven B and one hundred and thirty-nine of chapter two hundred and sixty-six shall, in all cases, upon conviction, in addition to any other punishment, be ordered to make restitution to any person whom the court deems appropriate for any financial loss sustained by the victim of his crime, his dependents or an insurer as a result of the commission of the crime. The term ''financial loss'' shall be interpreted to include but shall not be limited to, loss of earnings, out-of-pocket expenses, and replacement costs. Losses due to pain and suffering are not financial loss. Restitution shall be interpreted to include monetary reimbursement, work or service, or a combination thereof, provided to any person, organization, corporation, or governmental entity, the court determines, has suffered said damage or financial loss, or to perform such work or service for any other person, organization, corporation or governmental entity as the court may determine. Restitution shall be imposed in addition to incarceration or fine, but not in lieu thereof. In an extraordinary case such as indigency, the court may determine that the interests of the victim and justice would not be served by ordering restitution. In such a case, the court shall make and enter specific written findings on the record concerning the extraordinary circumstances presented which militated against the imposition of restitution.

The court shall, after conviction, conduct an evidentiary hearing to ascertain the extent of the damages or financial loss suffered as a result of the defendant's crime. The court may then determine the amount and method of restitution. In so determining, the court shall consider the financial resources of the defendant and the burden restitution will impose on the defendant. The defendant's present and future ability to make such restitution shall be considered.

A defendant ordered to make restitution may petition the court for remission from any payment of restitution or from any unpaid portion thereof. If the court finds that the payment of restitution due will cause a substantial financial hardship to the defendant, the defendant's immediate family or the defendant's dependents, the court may grant remission from any payment of restitution, or modify the amount, time or method of payment.

If a defendant who is required to make restitution defaults in any payment of restitution or installment thereof, the court may hold him in contempt unless said defendant has made a good faith effort to make restitution. If the defendant has made a good faith effort to make restitution, the court may, upon motion of the defendant, modify the order requiring restitution by:

(a) providing for additional time to make any payment in restitution;

(b) reducing the amount of any payment in restitution or installment thereof;

(c) granting a remission from any payment of restitution or part thereof.

Restitution shall not be authorized to a party whom the court determines to be aggrieved, without that party's consent.