Section 1214.
Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1214.
in effect(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)
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)
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)
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)
In a misdemeanor case.
(2)
In a case involving violation of a city or
town ordinance.
(3)
In a noncapital criminal case where the court has received a plea of guilty or nolo contendere.
(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)
A judgment for court-ordered fines, forfeitures, penalties, fees, or assessments.
(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)
A diversion restitution fee ordered pursuant to Section
1001.90.
References
referencesCal. Government Code - GOV § 13967.
referencesCal. Government Code - GOV § 900.6.
referencesCal. Government Code - GOV § 900.4.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1202.4.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1203.04.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1001.90.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 3451.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1170.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 85.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 683.010.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026