State, Victims' Compensation Assistance Program v. Chianese

SEITZ, Justice:

In this appeal, we must determine whether the Court of Common Pleas had the authority as part of a sentencing proceeding to require the criminal defendant to reimburse the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program (“VCAP”) for payments VCAP made to the victim of the crime. The Court of Common Pleas denied restitution because it ruled that it could only award restitution to the victims of crimes, not third parties, and because it did not have custody or control over the defendant’s funds. The Superior Court affirmed. We agree, and affirm.

I. Background Facts and Procedural History

T…