Victim Resources
How Does a California Victim Restitution Hearing Work?
A court may need evidence and argument when restitution amount or causation is disputed.
Updated September 23, 2026
Reviewed for publication by Mark A. Amador | Former California prosecutor | Partner, Wingert Grebing Brubaker & Walshok LLP
Why hearings happen
Disputes can concern causation, amount, or whether a category is recoverable.
Evidence
A clear chronology and organized documentation can make losses easier to evaluate.
Separate civil track
A restitution hearing is part of the criminal case and is not a substitute for evaluating civil claims.
Legal reference: California Constitution article I, section 28; California DOJ victim-rights materials. Parole-specific pages also rely on current CDCR victim-services guidance. This page is general information, not legal advice.
General information only. Rights, procedures, deadlines, and available remedies can depend on the facts and the stage of the case.