2007 California Penal Code Chapter 2.9a. Bad Check Diversion

CA Codes (pen:1001.60-1001.67)

1001.60.  Upon the adoption of a resolution by the board of
supervisors declaring that there are sufficient funds available to
fund the program, the district attorney may create within his office
a diversion program pursuant to this chapter for persons who write
bad checks.  For  purposes of this chapter, "writing a bad check"
means making, drawing, uttering, or delivering any check or draft
upon any bank or depository for the payment of money where there is
probable cause to believe there has been a violation of Section 476a.
  The program may be conducted by the district attorney or by a
private entity under contract with the district attorney.




1001.61.  The district attorney may refer a bad check case to the
diversion program.  Except as provided in Section 1001.64, this
chapter does not limit the power of the district attorney to
prosecute bad check complaints.


1001.62.  On receipt of a bad check case, the district attorney
shall determine if the case is one which is appropriate to be
referred to the bad check diversion program.  In determining whether
to refer a case to the bad check diversion  program, the district
attorney shall consider, but is not limited to, all of the following:

   (a) The amount of the bad check.
   (b) If the person has a prior criminal record or has previously
been diverted.
   (c) The number of bad check grievances against the person
previously received by the district attorney.
   (d) Whether there are other bad check grievances currently pending
against the person.
   (e) The strength of the evidence, if any, of intent to defraud the
victim.



1001.63.  On referral of a bad check case to the diversion program,
a notice shall be forwarded by mail to the person alleged to have
written the bad check which contains all of the following:
   (a) The date and amount of the bad check.
   (b) The name of the payee.
   (c) The date before which the person must contact the person
designated by the district attorney concerning the bad check.
   (d) A statement of the penalty for issuance of a bad check.



1001.64.  The district attorney may enter into a written agreement
with the person to forego prosecution on the bad check for a period
to be determined by the district attorney, not to exceed six months,
pending all of the following:
   (a) Completion of a class or classes conducted by the district
attorney or private entity under contract with the district attorney.

   (b) Full restitution being made to the victim of the bad check.
   (c) Full payment of the collection fee, if any, specified in
Section 1001.65.



1001.65.  (a) A district attorney may collect a fee if his or her
office collects and processes a bad check.  The amount of the fee
shall not exceed thirty-five dollars () for each bad check in
addition to the actual amount of any bank charges incurred by the
victim as a result of the offense.
   (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), when a criminal complaint is
filed in a bad check case after the maker of the check fails to
comply with the terms of the bad check diversion program, the court,
after conviction, may impose a bad check collection fee for the
collection and processing efforts by the district attorney of not
more than thirty-five dollars () for each bad check in addition to
the actual amount of any bank charges incurred by the victim as a
result of the offense, not to exceed one thousand dollars (,000) in
the aggregate.  The court also may, as a condition of probation,
require a defendant to participate in and successfully complete a
check writing education class.  If so required, the court shall make
inquiry into the financial condition of the defendant and, upon a
finding that the defendant is able in whole or part to pay the
expense of the education class, the court may order him or her to pay
for all or part of that expense.
   (c) If the district attorney elects to collect any fee for bank
charges incurred by the victim pursuant to this section, that fee
shall be paid to the victim for any bank fees that the victim may
have been assessed.  In no event shall reimbursement of a bank charge
to the victim pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) exceed ten dollars
() per check.



1001.66.  At no time shall a defendant be required to make an
admission of guilt as a prerequisite for placement in a precomplaint
diversion program.


1001.67.  No statement, or information procured therefrom, made by
the defendant in connection with the determination of his or her
eligibility for diversion, and no statement, or information procured
therefrom, made by the defendant, subsequent to the granting of
diversion or while participating in the program, and no information
contained in any report made with respect thereto, and no statement
or other information concerning the defendant's participation in the
program shall be admissible in any action or proceeding.