(a)  The Attorney General, any district attorney, or any city attorney to whom the department reports any violation of this chapter shall begin appropriate proceedings in the proper court.

(b)  Before any alleged violation of this chapter is reported to the Attorney General, a district attorney, or a city attorney for the institution of a criminal proceeding, the person against whom this proceeding is contemplated may be given appropriate notice and an opportunity to show cause why he or she should not be prosecuted and to present additional facts that may mitigate the action. The showing may be presented either orally or in writing, in person, or by attorney.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 1996.)