46-9-512. Use of forfeited bail as restitution. (1) If the court enters a judgment declaring bail to be forfeited or if the order of forfeiture is not discharged, the court having jurisdiction may order the bail forfeited to be paid as restitution to any victim of the offense for which the court has received bail. Whenever the court believes that restitution may be proper, the court shall order a hearing for the purpose of considering the nature and extent of the victim's pecuniary loss as defined by law.
(2) If the court finds that restitution is appropriate, the court shall order restitution in an amount not exceeding the amount of the victim's complaint or the amount of the victim's pecuniary loss.
(3) An order to require restitution is a judgment against the defendant and the defendant's sureties, and the court may order the restitution to be made by payment of money deposited as bail. Any balance of the bail money must be disposed of in the same manner as provided in 46-9-511.
(4) A determination or decision under this section is not admissible as evidence in any other civil action and is not res judicata in any civil action.
History: En. 95-1117 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 95-1117; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 132, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 142, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 86, Ch. 800, L. 1991; Sec. 46-9-504, MCA 1989; redes. 46-9-512 by Code Commissioner, 1991.