Restitution: priority.

Assembly Member Stefani's Restitution First Act aims to prioritize victim compensation by requiring courts to ensure restitution payments take precedence over all other fines and fees imposed on convicted defendants in California. The legislation amends the Penal Code to mandate that restitution orders be satisfied before defendants pay any penalty assessments, restitution fines, or other financial obligations stemming from their conviction.

The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for calculating and enforcing restitution amounts. Courts must determine payments based on victims' documented economic losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and mental health counseling costs. For certain offenses like identity theft or violent crimes, restitution may also cover relocation expenses, security system installations, and credit monitoring services. Defendants are required to submit detailed financial disclosures to facilitate accurate restitution orders.

To strengthen enforcement, the legislation designates restitution orders as civil judgments and expands the definition of eligible victims to include immediate family members, businesses, and others who suffered direct economic harm. The bill also creates specific provisions for corporate defendants, establishing separate restitution fine structures and directing 75% of collected corporate fines to the California Crime Victims Fund. While defendants' inability to pay cannot be considered when determining restitution amounts, courts retain discretion to adjust payment schedules based on individual circumstances.