In a move that signifies a shift towards victim-centered justice, California has enacted the Restitution First Act, positioning the financial recovery of crime victims at the forefront of the justice system's responsibilities. The bill, known officially as AB 1213, was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, following its introduction by Assemblymember Catherine Stefani and sponsorship by San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. The legislation mandates that any restitution payments owed to victims by convicted individuals take precedence over other financial obligations, such as government fines, fees, or debts linked to their conviction.
The bipartisan support for the bill was evident as it passed unanimously through the legislature. According to a statement published by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, the act aligns with Marsy’s Rights provided by California’s Constitution, ensuring that "victims of crime are paid first and are made whole financially." District Attorney Jenkins praised the move, stating, "Restitution payments are essential to making them whole as they heal from the trauma they have endured."
Assemblymember Stefani echoed these sentiments in her assertion, "Victims of crime shouldn’t have to wait in line for restitution." The act also has the backing of community stakeholders like Sherry Baltodano, whose son was a homicide victim. Drawing on the pain of loss, she spoke on behalf of hundreds of victims, declaring, per the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, "AB1213 is not just legislation—it is hope, it is accountability, and it is the chance to finally put victims first."
The law was partly inspired by the voices of incarcerated men at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center's Civic Engagement Group, which collaborated with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office on shaping AB1213. Building relationships between inmates and the broader society, the partnership worked on the premise that accountability and respecting victims' rights are essential pillars for successful reentry into the community. Warden Chance Andes of San Quentin highlighted the collaborative approach in developing the policy: "The San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (SQRC) strives to cultivate groups that work together for the greater good," he said, with the initiative to empower the incarcerated and affirm the dignity of victims.
