Opinion ID: 2163769
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Restitution as a Condition of Probation

Text: Restitution may be ordered by a trial court as part of a defendant's sentence, see Ind.Code Ann. § 35-50-5-3(a) (West Supp.1999), or as a condition of probation, see Ind.Code Ann. § 35-38-2-2.3(a)(5) (1998). When a court orders restitution as a condition of probation, it must also fix the amount of restitution, which may not exceed what a person will be able to pay, and the manner of performance. See id. The trial court ordered restitution to the victim's mother, Carol Fulford, for her daughter's medical and funeral costs and for the counseling she underwent after her daughter's murder. At the sentencing hearing, the trial judge requested that the prosecuting attorney submit a memo regarding Carol Fulford's expenses and informed defense counsel that Defendant would then have the opportunity to respond. The sentencing order provided for the terms of restitution to be determined at the commencement of Defendant's probation. Defendant argues that the failure to set the terms of restitution as statutorily set forth requires us to vacate the trial judge's restitution order. As we have long recognized, however, a trial judge enjoys wide latitude in fashioning the terms of a defendant's probation. See State ex rel. Abel v. Vigo Cir. Ct., 462 N.E.2d 61, 63 (Ind.1984). We will not set aside the terms of a probation order unless the trial court has abused its discretion. See id. Defendant argues that, because the sentencing order provides for the terms of restitution to be set at his probation, the trial judge is in fact requiring the probation department to set the terms of restitution, in contravention of the statute, § 35-8-2-2.3(a)(5), and precedent, see McGuire v. State, 625 N.E.2d 1281, 1282 (Ind.Ct.App.1993) (finding error where trial court ordered the probation department to fix the terms of defendant's restitution payments). The sentencing order does not specify, however, that the probation department is to set the terms of Defendant's restitution, and therefore does not violate the statute. Nevertheless, because the trial judge has requested a memo from the State and a response from defense counsel on this issue, we think it proper for the judge to inquire into Defendant's ability to pay restitution, and to set the amount and manner of performance once he has received these documents from the parties.