THE PENNINTON COUNTY ADULT VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS AN ADDITION TO AN EXISTING VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT HAD BEEN IN OPERATION AT THE JUVENILE LEVEL FOR 2 YEARS. THE ADULT PROGRAM, WHICH SERVES VICTIMS OF BOTH MISDEMEANANT AND FELONY OFFENSES, IS OPERATED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT COURT OF SOUTH DAKOTA. WHEN AN ADULT OFFENDER PLEADS GUILTY TO OR IS FOUND GUILTY OF AN OFFENSE IN WHICH IT APPEARS THAT A VICTIM SUFFERED FINANCIAL LOSS, A COURT SERVICES OFFICER CONNECTED WITH THE VICTIMS' ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CONTACTS THE VICTIM, DETERMINES THE AMOUNT OF RESTITUTION TO BE PAID, AND PREPARES A VICTIM CASE FILE. RESTITUTION PAYMENTS MAY BE ORDERED AS A CONDITION OF PROBATION OR, AT THE MISDEMEANOR COURT LEVEL, AS A CONDITION OF SUSPENDED SENTENCE. SINCE NOVEMBER 1975, 320 VICTIM CASES INVOLVING 270 ADULT OFFENDERS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED. THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1977, $23,979.48 IN RESTITUTION HAD BEEN COLLECTED. THE PROGRAM'S OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED, AS ARE THE EXTENT OF VICTIM INVOLVEMENT AND THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE PROGRAM. ONE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOME MISUNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF VICTIMS REGARDING THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM. (LKM)