False Hope

On Aug. 20, three offenders who owe victims restitution came before District Court Judge Gregory Campbell in his Bangor courtroom. Their cases illustrate common issues the courts have in enforcing restitution agreements.

Our investigation found Maine's system for compensating victims of non-violent crimes is overburdened, uncoordinated and promises what it can’t deliver.

In Maine, crime victims are nearly alone in navigating a confusing and understaffed restitution system.

District attorneys from across the state are as frustrated as crime victims with the fundamental reality of the restitution system in Maine: it's broken.

Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson said two thirds of the 1,181 restitution cases in her county are in default.