Hank Investigates: Law and Disorder

One thing made her feel better. When the carjacker was convicted, the judge ordered him to pay her $3,400 in restitution.

Marion Clay
"Bottom line: I was happy about the outcome of it because I would get reimbursed for my damages."

Dolores Michel was in despair. She gave her life savings -- $11,000 -- to a man who said he would invest it. Instead he took the money and ran.

Dolores Michel
"I feel stupid to trust him that much. I feel real stupid."

One thing made her feel better: When the man was convicted, the judge ordered him to pay her back $11,000 in restitution.

Dolores Michel
"I believe they was going to find a way to make him pay the money to me because the court says so."

But we found Marion is still waiting for her money -- and so is Dolores.

Dolores Michel
"I just want to get paid."

As our investigation of hundreds of court records found the system that orders the payment of restitution is not set up to collect it.

Marion Clay
"The system doesn't work, not in my eyes."

And as a result, we found criminals can often get away without paying.

Paul Walsh, Bristol Co. District Attorney
"Lets face it, they're criminals. They've been scamming people and businesses and companies for years, including probation officers, and now the court."

So how often are criminals beating the system? We found no state official really knows!

We have learned the probation department's computer system is so antiquated it can't calculate the total outstanding!

State probation officials refused to discuss it on camera or even on the record! But one inside source confirmed: "We are unable to give the total amount of restitution statewide."