State Fund Qualifies as 'Victim' Entitled to Restitution From Criminal Defendants

The Montana Supreme Court ruled that the Montana State Fund qualified as a “victim” entitled to restitution from a criminal defendant who assaulted a peace officer, but excused the defendant from paying saying it would cause her unjust hardship. Case: State v. Lodahl, No. DA 19-0406, 06/29/2021, published. Facts: Sami Jo Lodahl struck Sgt. Dawn Miller after Miller requested that she sit down while waiting in a courtroom. Miller had abrasions on her chin and cheek, pain in her ribs, a sprained finger, and her glasses were bent in half. Lodahl was charged with felony ass...