People v. Law, 577 N.W.2d 693 (Mich. 1998)

Cases | People v. Law, 577 N.W.2d 693 (Mich. 1998) | 2018

The defendant pled guilty to desertion and abandonment. The trial court ordered the defendant to pay restitution for back child support and unpaid medical bills. The defendant appealed and the appellate court agreed that the trial court erred in ordering him to pay interest on the restitution award. The plaintiff appealed. The supreme court held that a court has authority to award interest under the Crime Victim’s Rights Act, vacated the restitution order, and remanded the case to trial court for further proceedings consistent with the opinion. The term “restitution” is understood in Michigan to include interest. Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 780.767 requires a court to focus on the loss sustained by the victim, and monetary loss includes the use value of money.