The Court has ordered a civil judgment from your restitution order. This brochure explains civil judgments and collection procedures. A civil judgment is a final court decision and order resulting from a civil lawsuit, often requiring one of the parties to pay a specific sum of money to the other party.
Civil lawsuits are different and separate from criminal prosecutions.
Minnesota law has simplified the process for crime victims. Crime victims do not have to file a separate civil lawsuit in order to get a civil judgment for the amount of restitution owed to them. The criminal or juvenile delinquency court order for restitution can be changed into a civil judgment. Because the Criminal or Delinquency Court no longer has authority over the offender when the probation expires, the Court may issue an Order for Civil Judgment . A judgment is enforceable for 10 years and can be renewed.