Victim: Vandals Should Pay |CITY|

Submitted by dan. on 2007-01-21 04:21.
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"The $500 (insurance deductible) I had to shell out, we had to go with one car and move all of the car seats (out of the van) - it's not something we won't live through. It's just really crappy. "It was the major car in our family. We have two kids, and there was just glass everywhere." The minivan's rear windshield and two side windows were shot out. They cost more than $1,875 to fix, and a dent from a BB was later found underneath a window. Now that his vehicle has been repaired and the alleged vandals - five teenage boys - have been caught, Bright wants compensation.

Sangamon County first assistant state's attorney Steve Weinhoeft said his office has charged Marquez and the other boys with conspiracy, which could help with restitution because "all of the defendants become equally responsible for the actions of their co-conspirators."

However, police still will have to prove a connection between the crimes for victims to receive compensation, Weinhoeft said.

"The law gives us the burden to prove that restitution should be ordered, and we also have to prove the amount."

In addition, when a vandalism case involves juveniles, as this one allegedly does, Illinois' parental responsibility law may come into effect. The law makes a parent or guardian of someone older than 11 but under age 19 who lives with them liable for intentional actions that hurt someone else.

The article outlines the procedures in Illinois for victims who want restitution. Read it all.