More than $500,000 Paid to Victims by Clerk of Superior Court

(PHOENIX, AZ) December 2, 2010 – The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced today that its Investigations Division has located 1,759 crime victims over the last six months, making it possible for these individuals to receive $585,662.35 in court ordered restitution checks.

Launched in May 2010 at the request of the Clerk of Superior Court, the Victim Restitution Project uses Investigators in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to locate victims who are due restitution but whom the Court has been unable to find. Funds are paid by defendants based on court ordered restitution to the victims. This work is completed by Investigators on a voluntary basis during non-duty hours.

“The success of this program in locating these individuals and providing them with the restitution they are owed underscores the strong commitment of this office to honor and respect the rights of crime victims,” remarked Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. “This is also an example of the cooperative, collaborative relationship our office intends to have with other government agencies in service to the people of Maricopa County,” he added.

Clerk of Superior Court Michael Jeanes commented, “Despite the millions of dollars our office distributes in restitution each year, there is always room for improvement. We sought to leverage the County Attorney’s ability to locate people with our office’s commitment to provide outstanding customer serve and in the end, everyone benefits.”

The offices of the Maricopa County Attorney and the Clerk of Superior Court look forward to continuing this important work.

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