Opinion ID: 1118589
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts relating to the issue of restitution.

Text: Defendant was obligated to pay restitution to all victims ... even victims of charges which were dismissed ... before he would be granted probation. The issue of restitution was raised by the prosecution before the District court in the initial Sentencing appearance of Defendant before it on August 22, 1988. At that time the prosecuting attorney had no objection to the Court granting probation ...: `MR. ODDO: We would not oppose probation, Your Honor, if he's willing to further work with the State Police in clearing up everything and make restitution to Royal Insurance Company and Safeco, we would not oppose probation, Your Honor.' In the continued Sentencing hearing three weeks later, there was argument whether the Defendant must pay restitution to only the victims of the crimes to which he pleaded guilty, or also to the victims of the charges which had been dismissed and others that came to light as a result of his talks with the police. The District Court finally concluded that `... there was nothing on the record from the Prosecuting Attorney's Office that the Court was to consider other criminal conduct with respect to restitution.' And further, `And the Court is not pleased at all with this case at all. In most criminal cases when the Prosecuting Attorney's office dismisses charges against a defendant, the Court is asked to take into consideration the restitution to the victims in this community for criminal conduct by those being sentenced. Unfortunately that wasn't done in this case, and the Court has no power to order this defendant to pay restitution on charges that were dismissed by the Prosecuting Attorney's Office ... The Court is going to have to proceed in this case and order restitution only on the two matters that the defendant entered a plea of guilty to.' Nevertheless, the Court then ordered the Defendant to pay Kruse Insurance for the alleged insurance fraud count which had been dismissed. When defense counsel later brought a Rule 35 motion to modify the judgment to correct the restitution mistake, the Court denied the motion, and `The Court ruled that with regard to Kruse Insurance, in the event the defendant is ultimately placed on probation, the Court will hold a formal hearing at a later date to determine the exact amount owed to said Insurance Company. The Court further advised defendant that in the event the Recommendation Committee recommends the defendant be placed on probation, it will be a condition of his probation that he pay restitution to all victims who suffered monetary damages as a result of the defendant's conduct, or the court will relinquish jurisdiction in this matter.' The Court made it clear that no probation would be granted unless the Defendant paid the restitution. It said, `I hope you make it up there, I hope they recommend probation for you. If they do, we'll certainly bring you back, and then we'll have another little session on this restitution. But between now and then and after the Prosecutor submits his report, if you don't want  if you feel like you don't want to pay those sums off, just simply advise your attorney of that and I'll relinquish jurisdiction.' Mr. Russell later agreed to pay all victims in order to get probation. `The Court on its own motion, moved to release the defendant from custody at this time, if the defendant was willing to post a $7,000.00 bond with the Bannock County Auditor, to be held in trust to show good faith on behalf of the defendant, indicating he will pay the restitution owing to the victims in this matter, once the total is determined by the Bannock County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.'