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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A federal judge in Utah wants to be able to make convicted identity thieves compensate victims for the hours of time it takes them to clear their credit.
US District Judge Paul Cassell called for changes to be made in restitution laws in a memorandum he issued this week. Cassell was writing about the case of a woman who pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft.
Though, Ruby Teresa Garcia was sentenced to two years in prison and must pay about $7,000 to two banks, Cassell couldn't order any restitution be paid to one of her victims.
While the victim wasn't liable for the charges Garcia ran up after stealing her identity, she exerted much time and emotional energy in clearing her name, Cassell says.
He called on congress to change restitution laws so judges can fully compensate victims of aggravated identity theft.
Information from: Deseret Morning News
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
