The primary difference between criminal victim restitution and civil damages is the difference between minimum and maximum. Victim restitution is usually an afterthought in criminal cases. Civil damages, on the other hand, are the primary focus in a civil case. Judges often order crime victim restitution, which is also known as a civil penalty, in violent crime matters, like assault and murder. Victims of nonviolent crimes, such as stalking, are almost never entitled to restitution in criminal court. However, damages take center stage in civil cases because money damages accomplish dual purposes. They punish tortfeasors (negligent actors) and put victims in a better place. An Experienced Personal Injury Attorney is a vital partner in both criminal and civil court cases. In both forums, a lawyer is a strong voice for crime victims during proceedings that often don’t fully allow these individuals to tell their stories.