Santiago v. State, 669 So. 2d 334 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996)

Cases | Santiago v. State, 669 So. 2d 334 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1996) | 2018

The defendants were convicted of trespass of an occupied structure and one of them was convicted also of battery when both defendants entered the victim’s home. As a result of these crimes, the victim took her four-year-old daughter to Virginia for one month out of fear for her safety. At the restitution hearing, the trial judge ordered the defendants to pay restitution for the victim’s expenses in connection with her trip to Virginia. On appeal, the defendants argued that there was no causal connection between their actions and the victim’s damages and flight to Virginia. The State conceded the fact. The court of appeals, however, held that, “[c]learly, the expenses involved herein resulted in the victim suffering a financial loss that was, at the very least, indirectly (if not directly) caused by the offenses committed by the appellants.” The trial court’s order of restitution was affirmed.