Senate Bill 547 Summary

• Adds new section 15A-1340.39 to North Carolina General Statutes requiring courts to provide notice and hearing before remitting all or part of a restitution order.

• Courts must notify the district attorney, victim, victim's estate, or other restitution recipient at least 15 days before the hearing via first-class mail to the address on file for receiving restitution payments.

• Victims and other restitution recipients have the right to be heard and object to the proposed remission at the hearing.

• Courts may only remit restitution orders if they find remission is warranted and serves the interests of justice.

• Remission of a restitution order does not prevent victims or their estates from pursuing civil lawsuits against the defendant for damages; effective December 1, 2017.