A King County Washington program aimed at sharply reducing the number of first-time felons prosecuted will establish the nation’s first victim restitution fund completely paid by taxpayers. Critics call it a get out of jail free card, which puts law-abiding citizens on the financial hook for the actions of criminals.
“You tell criminals we’re not going to put you in jail and we’re going to make taxpayers pay for the consequences of your crime, of course this becomes the easiest place in the United States to be a criminal,” said Dori Monson, a host on KIRO Radio.
