Section § 1213

Explanation

This law specifies the procedure for handling probationary orders and judgments in criminal cases, except those involving the death penalty. When someone is sentenced to jail as part of probation or to state prison, the court clerk must provide certified documents, like a minute order or abstract of judgment, to the officer responsible for carrying out the sentence. No additional warrant is needed to enforce it. If someone is resentenced and has less than 30 days left in custody, this information must be delivered within 24 hours, possibly electronically.

If a minute order is used to record the decision, it must match the format of an abstract of judgment as determined by the Judicial Council, with additional content added as needed.

(a)Copy CA Penal Law Code § 1213(a)
(1)Copy CA Penal Law Code § 1213(a)(1) When a probationary order or a judgment, other than of death, has been pronounced, a copy of the entry of that portion of the probationary order ordering the defendant confined in a city or county jail as a condition of probation, or a copy of the entry of the judgment, or, if the judgment is for imprisonment in the state prison or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170, either a copy of the minute order or an abstract of the judgment as provided in Section 1213.5, certified by the clerk of the court, and a Criminal Investigation and Identification (CII) number shall be forthwith furnished to the officer whose duty it is to execute the probationary order or judgment, and no other warrant or authority is necessary to justify or require its execution.
(2)CA Penal Law Code § 1213(a)(2) When a person has been resentenced and there is a reasonable basis to believe the remaining time to serve in custody is less than 30 days, the information described in paragraph (1) shall be furnished to the executing officer within 24 hours. The information may be furnished by electronic means.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 1213(b) If a copy of the minute order is used as the commitment document, the first page or pages shall be identical in form and content to that prescribed by the Judicial Council for an abstract of judgment, and other matters as appropriate may be added thereafter.

Section § 1213.5

Explanation

The Judicial Council is responsible for determining the format and details of the abstract of judgment mentioned in Section 1213.

The abstract of judgment provided for in Section 1213 shall be prescribed by the Judicial Council.

Section § 1214

Explanation

This law outlines how fines, restitution fines, and restitution orders are enforced. If a judgment includes a fine or restitution, it can be collected like a normal money judgment, even after the defendant has completed probation or a similar program. The law allows the California Victim Compensation Board to step in to help collect unpaid restitution. Victims can enforce restitution orders as if they were civil judgments. They can use various methods like wage garnishment or accessing the defendant's financial records. The court provides necessary documents to victims and other entities for enforcement. Even after jail time, defendants are still obligated to pay restitution. Restitution orders in minor cases, ordinance violations, or guilty plea cases can be enforced like regular money judgments. Certain civil code procedures don’t apply to these restitution-related judgments.

(a)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(a) If the judgment is for a fine, including a restitution fine ordered pursuant to Section 1202.4, 1202.44, or 1202.45, or Section 1203.04 as operative on or before August 2, 1995, or Section 13967 of the Government Code, as operative on or before September 28, 1994, with or without imprisonment, or a diversion restitution fee ordered pursuant to Section 1001.90, the judgment may be enforced in the manner provided for the enforcement of money judgments generally. Any portion of a restitution fine or restitution fee that remains unsatisfied after a defendant is no longer on probation, parole, postrelease community supervision pursuant to Section 3451, or mandatory supervision pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, after a term in custody pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or after completing diversion is enforceable by the California Victim Compensation Board pursuant to this section. Notwithstanding any other provision of law prohibiting disclosure, the state, as defined in Section 900.6 of the Government Code, a local public entity, as defined in Section 900.4 of the Government Code, or any other entity, may provide the California Victim Compensation Board any and all information to assist in the collection of unpaid portions of a restitution fine for terminated probation or parole cases, or of a restitution fee for completed diversion cases. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “state, as defined in Section 900.6 of the Government Code,” and “any other entity” shall not include the Franchise Tax Board. A local collection program may continue to collect restitution fines and restitution orders once a defendant is no longer on probation, postrelease community supervision, or mandatory supervision or after a term in custody pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(b) In any case in which a defendant is ordered to pay restitution, the order to pay restitution (1) is deemed a money judgment if the defendant was informed of his or her right to have a judicial determination of the amount and was provided with a hearing, waived a hearing, or stipulated to the amount of the restitution ordered, and (2) shall be fully enforceable by a victim as if the restitution order were a civil judgment, and enforceable in the same manner as is provided for the enforcement of any other money judgment. Upon the victim’s request, the court shall provide the victim in whose favor the order of restitution is entered with a certified copy of that order and a copy of the defendant’s disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4, affidavit or information pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4, or report pursuant to paragraph (8) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4. The court also shall provide this information to the district attorney upon request in connection with an investigation or prosecution involving perjury or the veracity of the information contained within the defendant’s financial disclosure. In addition, upon request, the court shall provide the California Victim Compensation Board with a certified copy of any order imposing a restitution fine or order and a copy of the defendant’s disclosure pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4, affidavit or information pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4, or report pursuant to paragraph (8) of subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4. A victim shall have access to all resources available under the law to enforce the restitution order, including, but not limited to, access to the defendant’s financial records, use of wage garnishment and lien procedures, information regarding the defendant’s assets, and the ability to apply for restitution from any fund established for the purpose of compensating victims in civil cases. Any portion of a restitution order that remains unsatisfied after a defendant is no longer on probation, parole, postrelease community supervision under Section 3451, or mandatory supervision imposed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 or after a term in custody pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 is enforceable by the victim pursuant to this section. Victims and the California Victim Compensation Board shall inform the court whenever an order to pay restitution is satisfied. A local collection program may continue to enforce victim restitution orders once a defendant is no longer on probation, postrelease community supervision, or mandatory supervision or after completion of a term in custody pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
(c)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(c) A defendant who owes a restitution fine, a restitution order, or any portion thereof, and who is released from the custody of a county jail facility after a term in custody pursuant to subparagraph (A) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 shall have a continuing obligation to pay the restitution fine or restitution order in full.
(d)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(d) Except as provided in subdivision (d), and notwithstanding the amount in controversy limitation of Section 85 of the Code of Civil Procedure, a restitution order or restitution fine that was imposed pursuant to Section 1202.4 in any of the following cases may be enforced in the same manner as a money judgment in a limited civil case:
(1)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(d)(1) In a misdemeanor case.
(2)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(d)(2) In a case involving violation of a city or town ordinance.
(3)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(d)(3) In a noncapital criminal case where the court has received a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
(e)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(e) Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 683.010) of Division 1 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall not apply to any of the following:
(1)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(e)(1) A judgment for court-ordered fines, forfeitures, penalties, fees, or assessments.
(2)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(e)(2) A restitution fine or restitution order imposed pursuant to Section 1202.4, 1202.44, or 1202.45, or Section 1203.04, as operative on or before August 2, 1995, or Section 13967 of the Government Code, as operative on or before September 28, 1994.
(3)CA Penal Law Code § 1214(e)(3) A diversion restitution fee ordered pursuant to Section 1001.90.

Section § 1214.1

Explanation

This law allows courts to charge a civil fee of up to $100 if someone doesn't show up for a court date or fails to pay a court-ordered fine or bail installment, starting from July 1, 2022.

Before this fee is charged, the court must send a warning notice to the person's last known address at least 20 days in advance. If the person shows up later and has a good reason for their absence or non-payment, the fee can be canceled. No payment is needed to cancel this fee or schedule a hearing. Importantly, no arrest warrant will be issued just because this fee is charged, and any current warrants for the same reasons should be canceled before this fee is imposed again.

Also, this fee follows certain due process rules that apply to civil money judgments. The existing system for collecting these fees stays in place unless there's an agreement to change it. If there's a dispute over collection plans, a third party can help mediate.

(a)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(a) On or after July 1, 2022, in addition to any other penalty in infraction, misdemeanor, or felony cases, the court may impose a civil assessment of up to one hundred dollars ($100) against a defendant who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court for a proceeding authorized by law or who fails to pay all or any portion of a fine ordered by the court or to pay an installment of bail as agreed to under Section 40510.5 of the Vehicle Code. This assessment shall be deposited with the county treasurer as provided in Section 1463.001, and transmitted to the State Treasurer for deposit into the General Fund.
(b)Copy CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(b)
(1)Copy CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(b)(1) The assessment imposed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall not become effective until at least 20 calendar days after the court mails a warning notice to the defendant by first-class mail to the address shown on the notice to appear or to the defendant’s last known address. If the defendant appears within the time specified in the notice and shows good cause for the failure to appear or for the failure to pay a fine or installment of bail, the court shall vacate the assessment.
(2)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(b)(2) Payment of bail, fines, penalties, fees, or a civil assessment shall not be required in order for the court to vacate the assessment at the time of appearance pursuant to paragraph (1). Payment of a civil assessment shall not be required to schedule a court hearing on a pending underlying charge.
(c)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(c) If a civil assessment is imposed pursuant to subdivision (a), no bench warrant or warrant of arrest shall be issued with respect to the failure to appear at the proceeding for which the assessment is imposed or the failure to pay the fine or installment of bail. An outstanding, unserved bench warrant or warrant of arrest for a failure to appear or for a failure to pay a fine or installment of bail shall be recalled prior to the subsequent imposition of a civil assessment.
(d)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(d) The assessment imposed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be subject to the due process requirements governing defense and collection of civil money judgments generally.
(e)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.1(e) Each court and county shall maintain the collection program that was in effect on July 1, 2005, unless otherwise agreed to by the court and county. If a court and a county do not agree on a plan for the collection of civil assessments imposed pursuant to this section, or any other collections under Section 1463.010, after the implementation of Sections 68085.6 and 68085.7 of the Government Code, the court or the county may request arbitration by a third party mutually agreed upon by the Administrative Director of the Courts and the California State Association of Counties.

Section § 1214.2

Explanation

If someone is on probation and ordered to pay a fine, this order can be enforced during their probation period as though it were a money judgment. If they deliberately don't pay, it can be treated like a probation violation. If there's still money owed when probation ends, it can be enforced similarly to a civil court judgement.

However, if the payment of the fine is paused (stayed), the court cannot take further action to collect until that pause is lifted.

(a)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.2(a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), if a defendant is ordered to pay a fine as a condition of probation, the order to pay a fine may be enforced during the term of probation in the same manner as is provided for the enforcement of money judgments.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.2(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c), an order to pay a fine as a condition of probation may also be enforced as follows:
(1)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.2(b)(1) With respect to a willful failure to pay during the term of probation, in the same manner as a violation of the terms and conditions of probation.
(2)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.2(b)(2) If any balance remains unpaid at the end of the term of probation, in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action.
(c)CA Penal Law Code § 1214.2(c) If an order to pay a fine as a condition of probation is stayed, a writ of execution shall not issue until the stay is lifted.

Section § 1215

Explanation

This law explains what happens after a judgment involving imprisonment or a fine is made against a defendant. If sentenced to prison, or to jail until a fine is paid, the defendant goes directly into custody. However, if the court decides to suspend the sentence or put the defendant on probation, the person will be supervised by a probation officer. They must follow probation terms until they complete this period. If the probation is ended and the suspension is revoked, the defendant will then be sent to custody.

If the judgment is for imprisonment, or a fine and imprisonment until it be paid, the defendant must forthwith be committed to the custody of the proper officer and by him or her detained until the judgment is complied with. Where, however, the court has suspended sentence, or where, after imposing sentence, the court has suspended the execution thereof and placed the defendant on probation, as provided in Section 1203, the defendant, if over the age of 16 years, shall be placed under the care and supervision of the probation officer of the court committing him or her, until the expiration of the period of probation and the compliance with the terms and conditions of the sentence, or of the suspension thereof. Where, however, the probation has been terminated as provided in Section 1203, and the suspension of the sentence, or of the execution revoked, and the judgment pronounced, the defendant shall be committed to the custody of the proper officer and be detained until the judgment be complied with.

Section § 1216

Explanation

When someone is sentenced to prison in California, the county sheriff must take the person to the state prison. The sheriff needs to bring certain documents, including a certified summary of the judgment and a medical form to ensure the person is fit to be moved. The sheriff then gets a receipt from the prison warden for the transfer of the person.

If the judgment is for imprisonment in the state prison, the sheriff of the county shall, upon receipt of a certified abstract or minute order thereof, take and deliver the defendant to the warden of the state prison. The sheriff also shall deliver to the warden the certified abstract of the judgment or minute order, a Criminal Investigation and Identification (CII) number, a Confidential Medical/Mental Health Information Transfer Form indicating that the defendant is medically capable of being transported, and take from the warden a receipt for the defendant.

Section § 1217

Explanation

This law section outlines what happens after someone is sentenced to death. It says that a formal document must be signed by the judge and certified by the court clerk. This document tells the sheriff to take the person to the designated State prison within 10 days so they can await their appeal.

When judgment of death is rendered, a commitment signed by the judge, and attested by the clerk under the seal of the court must be drawn and delivered to the sheriff. It must state the conviction and judgment, and must direct the sheriff to deliver the defendant, within 10 days from the time of judgment, to the warden of the State prison of this State designated by the State Board of Prison Directors for the execution of the death penalty, to be held pending the decision upon his appeal.

Section § 1218

Explanation

After a death penalty is declared, the judge must quickly send a digital report summarizing the conviction and sentence to the Governor in a format that has been agreed upon by both parties.

The judge of the court at which a judgment of death is had shall, immediately after the judgment, electronically transmit, in a mutually agreed upon format, a statement of the conviction and judgment to the Governor.

Section § 1219

Explanation

This section allows the Governor to ask the Justices of the Supreme Court and the Attorney General for their opinions on certain statements or issues presented to them.

The Governor may thereupon require the opinion of the Justices of the Supreme Court and of the Attorney General, or any of them, upon the statement so furnished.

Section § 1227

Explanation

This law states that if a death sentence has not been carried out for reasons other than an appeal, the court must set a new execution date. The district attorney can ask the court to do this, or the court can decide on its own. The execution must happen within a specific 10-day period that starts at least 30 days and no more than 60 days after the court's order. If the person sentenced to death is not in custody, they must be caught and brought before the court so the prison warden can execute the sentence. This decision cannot be appealed.

(a)CA Penal Law Code § 1227(a) If for any reason other than the pendency of an appeal pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 1239 of this code a judgment of death has not been executed, and it remains in force, the court in which the conviction was had shall, on application of the district attorney, or may upon its own motion, make and cause to be entered an order specifying a period of 10 days during which the judgment shall be executed. The 10-day period shall begin no less than 30 days after the order is entered and shall end no more than 60 days after the order is entered. Immediately after the order is entered, a certified copy of the order, attested by the clerk, under the seal of the court, shall, for the purpose of execution, be transmitted by registered mail to the warden of the state prison having the custody of the defendant; provided, that if the defendant be at large, a warrant for his apprehension may be issued, and upon being apprehended, he shall be brought before the court, whereupon the court shall make an order directing the warden of the state prison to whom the sheriff is instructed to deliver the defendant to execute the judgment within a period of 10 days, which shall not begin less than 30 days nor end more than 60 days from the time of making such order.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 1227(b) From an order fixing the time for and directing the execution of such judgment as herein provided, there shall be no appeal.

Section § 1227.5

Explanation

This law states that if a death sentence is paused because the Governor has issued a temporary delay (either a stay or a reprieve), the execution of the death sentence should take place the day after that delay ends, without needing to go through any additional court processes.

Notwithstanding Section 1227, where a judgment of death has not been executed by reason of a stay or reprieve granted by the Governor, the execution shall be carried out on the day immediately after the period of the stay or reprieve without further judicial proceedings.