District Attorney Walt Merrell announced Friday that the District Attorney’s Restitution Recovery Unit is in the midst of a month long special operation. The purpose, as outlined by Merrell, is to expedite the repayment of restitution to crime victims in order to make them whole again. The Alabama Legislature tasks the Office of the District Attorney in each Circuit with determining the amount of restitution owed to each victim as well as with recovering it from the defendants who are not paying as ordered by the Court. On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Charles A. Lex Short presided over a docket for certain defendants who are currently behind on their restitution payments. Prior to this day, Merrell’s staff had contacted more than 100 defendants who were behind on their payments.Several we contacted came in to pay their arrearage and got back on track. A few actually paid their cases off in full, Merrell noted. After all efforts were made to allow those who were behind to catch up, Judge Short issued notices for defendants to appear at Thursday’s docket. Over 50 individuals appeared in court on Thursday and made arrangements to make recompense to their victims. Arrest warrants were issued for those who failed to appear, and law enforcement officers are actively looking for them. Merrell said that over $18,000 in restitution has been recovered. I couldn’t be happier about the strides we have made in recovering our victims’ restitution. I fully expect by the end of May, this operation alone will take in well over $30,000. Merrell added a warning to those who have not made their restitution payments as ordered: We will continue this operation in the coming months. It has taken a great deal of manpower and extra work for my office, but the recovery of the monies owed to the people of Covington County is well worth it. For those who are not paying as ordered, the simple way to handle this is to get yourself back on track before you are summoned to appear in Court. Merrell thanked the Covington County Drug Task Force, District 8 ABC Agents and the Andalusia Police Department for their assistance in the operation.
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 21:32:14 +0000
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