AB 2297: Restitution: diversion.

Existing law requires a court to, in every case where a person is convicted of a crime, order restitution to the victim or victims, as specified. Existing law creates and authorizes a number of diversion and deferred entry of judgment programs, which either defer entry of a plea of guilty by the defendant or postpone the proceedings of the case as long as the defendant participates in the program. Existing law requires the court to dismiss the plea or charges if the defendant has performed satisfactorily during the program.

This bill would require the court to order restitution to the victims or victims when a defendant participates in a diversion program, provided that the defendant is informed of their right to have a judicial determination of the amount of restitution and is provided with a hearing, waives a hearing, or stipulates to the amount of restitution ordered. If the court finds restitution is owed pursuant to this provision, the bill would require the court to order payment of restitution during the period of diversion. The bill would prohibit a defendants inability to pay restitution due to indigence or mental disorder from being grounds for denial of diversion or a finding that the defendant failed to comply with the terms of diversion. The bill would require an order for restitution to be suspended until the resolution of criminal proceedings if a defendant withdraws from diversion or fails to complete the terms of diversion.