What is community service restitution (CSR) and how do I complete it?

When volunteer work is required as part of a plea bargain agreement or sentence, it is called “community service restitution.”

Unpaid work at any nonprofit, non-religious, non-political organization will generally qualify. You will need a representative of the organization to provide a letter on the organization’s letterhead or sign a time sheet showing the work that you did and the number of hours that you worked.

Some organizations that routinely work with people who need to perform community service restitution follow:

• Capital Area Food Bank (may require minimum time commitment of 60 hours).
• Caritas.
• Ecology Action.
• Goodwill (use this link for up-front CSR).
• March of Dimes.
• Town Lake Animal Shelter.

For a lengthier list of agencies that will satisfy most CSR requirements, see this Austin Municipal Court CSR packet.