Restitution Definition in Law: Civil and Criminal Cases Restitution is a legal remedy that requires a wrongdoer to give back what they gained or compensate for what their victim lost In civil law, that often means reversing unjust enrichment; in criminal law, it means a court-ordered payment from the offender to the victim as part of a sentence
restitution | Wex | US Law | LII Legal Information Institute Restitution refers to both the return of something wrongfully taken, and to compensate for loss or injury In civil cases, restitution is a remedy most often associated with unjust enrichment, where recovery is measured by the defendant’s gain rather than the plaintiff’s loss
Criminal Division | Restitution Process A court may also decline to order restitution if it finds that determining restitution in a case is too complex At sentencing, the judge then enters an "Order for Restitution," directing the offender to reimburse victims for some or all of the offense-related financial losses
RESTITUTION Definition Meaning | Dictionary. com RESTITUTION definition: reparation made by giving an equivalent or compensation for loss, damage, or injury caused; indemnification See examples of restitution used in a sentence
What Is Restitution? - The Law Dictionary Find out if you can be compensated as the victim of a crime Here's an overview of what restitution is, and how courts apply it
Restitution Meaning in Law: Clear Definition (2026) Restitution means repaying someone for a loss caused by another person’s wrongful act or crime In legal contexts, it refers to a court-ordered payment designed to restore the victim — or wronged party — to the financial position they held before the harm occurred