The Restitution First Act ensures victims are made whole financially requiring restitution to be paid ahead of any fines, fees, or other debts.
San Francisco, CA – Assemblymember Catherine Stefani’s bill, AB 1213, the Restitution First Act, sponsored by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. The Restitution First Act prioritizes restitution payments to victims of crime ahead of any other orders, judgments, liens or other debt owed by a person convicted of a crime associated with their conviction. Consistent with Marsy’s Rights guaranteed by the State of California’s Constitution, the Restitution First Act ensures that victims of crime are paid first and are made whole financially by those convicted of the crimes that caused the losses before any other fines, fees as well as other debts are paid. AB 1213 passed the legislature with unanimous support from all legislators with no opposing votes recorded throughout the legislative process. Passage of AB 1213 demonstrates there is strong bipartisan support for common-sense legislation that puts victims first.
“I would like to thank Assemblymember Stefani for her leadership and partnership, the legislature and Governor Newsom for taking action to protect the rights of victims of crime across our state,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “The Restitution First Act ensures that restitution payments to victims of crime are prioritized before any other government fine or fee is paid by the offender. Although nothing can undo the harm that victims have endured, restitution payments are essential to making them whole as they heal from the trauma they have endured.”
“Victims of crime shouldn’t have to wait in line for restitution,” said Assemblymember Catherine Stefani. “This legislation guarantees that restitution takes priority over all other financial obligations, ensuring victims receive what they are owed. Today’s introduction builds on my work as the creator of the Office of Victims and Witness Rights, reinforcing our commitment to putting survivors first and ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve.”
“I stand with hundreds of victims in support of AB1213, a bill that is long overdue,” said Sherry Baltodano, Mother of Ronnie Goodman, Jr., Homicide victim. “This law will not bring back our loved ones, but it will bring dignity and fairness to those left behind. We are tired of waiting years just to see justice move forward. We are tired of being last. AB1213 is not just legislation—it is hope, it is accountability, and it is the chance to finally put victims first.”
“The San Quentin Civic Engagement Group is not only about informing the incarcerated about their rights; it is about responsibility.” said San Quentin Rehabilitation Center Warden Chance Andes. “The group’s work on AB1213, the Restitution First Act, demonstrates how informed, constructive participation can influence policy for the better. AB1213 represents a collaborative approach between the prison community and the broader public, serving as a bridge that translates lived experience into policy. This accomplishment would not have been possible without San Quentin’s partnership with the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and her staff have dedicated countless hours to empowering the incarcerated. The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) strives to cultivate groups that work together for the greater good.”
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ work with incarcerated men at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s (SQRC) Civic Engagement Group identified this critical gap in services for victims of crime. While restitution cannot undo the harm a victim suffered, it is an important step in ensuring that the victim is made whole and their constitutional rights are honored. The incarcerated men identified this issue as a top legislative priority for them because of its direct impact on victims of crime and on their ability to successfully reenter the community. Ensuring timely restitution payments benefits victims of crime and is a smart, common-sense, prison reform that improves community re-entry opportunities for incarcerated people. Paying restitution is not optional; it is mandated and part of the court-imposed sentence people convicted of a crime must complete to successfully move past their crime and reenter the community.
In 2024 District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced the Access to Hope Initiative Healing, Reform and Reentry Partnership with SQRC to develop innovative crime prevention strategies by engaging in direct dialogue with incarcerated men and leveraging their unique insights and perspectives about the types of programs and initiatives that would be most effective to prevent crime and reduce recidivism while centering victims and their need to heal. District Attorney’s Office staff participate in quarterly symposia with incarcerated men to inform crime prevention and criminal justice system reform policies and initiatives as well as participate in monthly meetings with the incarcerated men’s civic engagement group.
The Access to Hope Initiative is a prevention and intervention strategy designed to build trust and create hope in those individuals and communities most deeply impacted by crime and violence to prevent and deter crime. Access to Hope Initiative programs and projects play a critical role in the District Attorney’s Office’s ongoing commitment to centering victims and those impacted by crime and violence, in our pursuit of justice, and work to advance smart criminal justice reforms.
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