(a) The presiding judge may make an order discharging the collection program from further accountability. The order shall have the same effect as a discharge from accountability under Section 25259, which relieves the applicant from any further responsibility for collecting the discharged debt, and does not constitute a release of any person from liability for payment of any amount. Upon making an order of discharge, the presiding judge shall direct the clerk of court to enter record of the discharge in the court case file for each debt and to post a copy of the order of discharge on the court’s Internet Web site for a period of not less than three weeks.

(b) Within 45 days after the end of the month in which any discharge from accountability is approved, the court shall report to the county the discharge from accountability for any court-ordered debt or bail that the court would otherwise have been responsible for collecting. The report shall include for each debt discharged: the case number; whether the case is an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony; the amount of the debt discharged; and the number of years since the debt became delinquent.

Terms Used In California Government Code 25259.9

  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Clerk of court: An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
  • County: includes city and county. See California Government Code 19
  • Person: includes any person, firm, association, organization, partnership, limited liability company, business trust, corporation, or company. See California Government Code 17
  • Process: includes all writs, warrants, summons, and orders of courts of justice, or judicial officers. See California Government Code 26660

(c) The Judicial Council, by rule of court, may establish the process by which applications under Section 25259.7 are submitted and reviewed or the standards for ordering a discharge.

(Added by Stats. 2010, Ch. 720, Sec. 11. (SB 857) Effective October 19, 2010.)