The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that an individual may not rely on a prior bankruptcy decision to eliminate the obligation to pay restitution that is later imposed by a criminal court at sentencing. The Court reasoned that restitution is rehabilitative in nature, and thus federal law does not permit its discharge. 

Attorney(s)

Andrew Christy, ACLU of Pennsylvania, Ethan D. Fogel, G. Eric Brunstad, Jr., Dechert LLP; Henry D. Sommer, National Consumer Bankruptcy Rights Center

Date filed

December 10, 2018

Court

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania