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Victim Restitution Information

Victim Restitution Information

As a victim in a criminal case, you may be entitled to restitution. The information below explains how restitution is collected, distributed, and what steps you should take to ensure payments reach you.


How Restitution Payments Are Applied

• When a defendant makes a payment to the Clerk of Courts, 50% of that payment is applied toward restitution.
• All payments are held for 15 days before distribution, unless the payment was made in cash.
• In cases with multiple victims, restitution is divided equally unless the Court orders a different allocation.


Order of Distribution

Under current Pennsylvania law, payments are distributed according to the Uniform Disbursement Schedule in the following order:

  1. Crime Victim Compensation Fund (Act 96 of 1984)
  2. Victim Witness Services (Act 111 of 1998)
  3. Private Crime Victim Restitution
  4. Insurance Company Restitution
  5. Fines, Costs, and Fees

Restitution Orders

The Clerk of Courts does not have authority to change restitution payees or amounts listed in the Court’s order. Any changes must be requested through a petition to the Court. The Victim Witness Department can assist with questions regarding this process.


Defendant Payment Requirements

Unless the Court orders otherwise, or the defendant is serving a jail sentence, all defendants must make monthly payments toward their fines, costs, and restitution.
If a defendant becomes delinquent, they will be scheduled for the next Contempt Court date.


Victim Responsibilities

It is very important to notify both the Clerk of Courts Office and the Victim Witness Department if your mailing address changes.
If our office cannot locate a victim, restitution payments will be withheld and may be escheated (turned over) to the Commonwealth after one year.

Do not accept restitution payments directly from the defendant. All payments must be made through the Clerk of Courts so they can be properly credited and distributed.


Tracking Restitution Payments

You may view the last page of the defendant’s docket sheet online to see the date of the most recent payment, whether the defendant is overdue, and the remaining restitution balance owed to you.


Restitution Disbursement

Restitution payments to victims are issued through an inactive debit card provided by Rapid Financial under the program CourtFunds. This method allows victims to choose the most convenient and secure way to receive their funds.

Upon receiving your CourtFunds card, you must:

  1. Register the card following the instructions provided in the mailing.
  2. Select your preferred disbursement method.

After registration, you may choose from several options for receiving restitution, including:

• Keeping the debit card active and allowing future restitution payments to be loaded directly onto it
• Transferring funds electronically to a personal bank account
• Requesting that a check be mailed to you by the third‑party provider
• Purchasing gift cards
• Other available options provided through the CourtFunds program


If you have questions about how to activate or use the card, please refer to the instructions included with your CourtFunds card or contact Rapid Financial’s customer support by calling 877-287-2448 or cardsupport@rpdfin.com


It is the duty of the Clerk of Courts Office to collect restitution from defendants and issue payments to victims. If restitution is not paid in full, defendants are required to make monthly payments in accordance to their payment plan. Inconsistent payments or lack of payments may be considered to be a probation violation. As a victim, do not accept any restitution payments directly from the defendant as all payments MUST be made to the Clerk of Courts so that all accounts can be properly credited. 

By viewing the last page of the defendant's docket sheet online you can view the last payment the defendant made, determine if defendant is overdue on payments, and see the balance of restitution due to you. 

If you are a victim and need to update your address, please complete the Change of Address form. Submitting this form will notify both the Victim Witness Department and the Clerk of Courts Office of your new address. You may be contacted to verify the information provided.

The Change of Address form must be completed and submitted by the individual whose address is being updated. Forms may be submitted in person at the Clerk of Courts Office, or completed online and emailed to our office.

To complete the form online click the Change of Address below:

Victim: Change of Address Form