State Encourages Victims to Check New Online Database for Unclaimed Restitution
The Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) is seeking individuals and businesses that have been victim(s) of a crime who may be owed restitution from an offender. CJCC encourages all victims to check a new, online database created for the Victims Unclaimed Restitution Program to see if they are owed restitution.
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The database, located at crimevictimscomp.ga.gov/our-programs/victims-unclaimed-restitution/was created as part of a new, comprehensive website providing information and resources about the six programs provided by CJCC’s Victims Compensation Division.
Currently, the database includes 5,000 outstanding cases owed to victims in more than 96 Georgia counties. Georgia cities with the most unclaimed restitution cases are Atlanta, Marietta, Savannah, Albany, Macon, Smyrna, Lawrenceville, Decatur, Rome and Dalton. These cities account for nearly half of all cases.
“Our programs focus on alleviating some of the financial burden that comes with being the victim of a crime,” said CJCC Executive Director, Jay Neal. “We know we cannot fix the pain or suffering, but we can help ease the monetary impact of victimization.”
If the database indicates that money is owed, the victim can complete and submit an Unclaimed Restitution Request Form for verification. To date, the Victims Unclaimed Restitution Program has awarded nearly $250,000 to victims.
Restitution is one of the most significant factors affecting the satisfaction of victims with the criminal justice process. In cases where someone is found guilty of a criminal act, the person may be ordered to pay restitution.
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About Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)
Created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1981 as an Executive Branch agency, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) represents the culmination of many efforts to establish a statewide body that would build consensus and unity among the State’s diverse and interdependent, criminal justice system components. The Crime Victims Compensation Division (VCD) of CJCC operates the Crime Victims Compensation Program, as established by the Georgia General Assembly.
