In almost every Rhode Island credit card fraud case, yes - restitution is central to sentencing. Judges in Providence, Kent, Washington, and Newport counties consistently prioritize making the victim whole, and prosecutors often reduce charges, defer sentences, or accept diversion when restitution is paid early and in full. Restitution typically goes to the issuing bank or merchant that absorbed the chargeback, not the cardholder. In federal cases, restitution is mandatory under the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act. The best-case scenario is paying restitution before the plea, before the grand jury, and before any information is filed - that early payment often reshapes the outcome more than any trial motion.
