(a) The city or county prosecuting attorney or county probation department may create a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program pursuant to this section for persons who commit a theft offense or repeat theft offenses. The program may be conducted by the prosecuting attorney’s office or the county probation department.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (e), this chapter does not limit the power of the prosecuting attorney to prosecute theft or repeat theft.

(c) If a county creates a diversion or deferred entry of judgment program for individuals committing a theft offense or repeat theft offenses, on receipt of a case or at arraignment, the prosecuting attorney shall either refer the case to the county probation department to conduct a prefiling investigation report to assess the appropriateness of program placement or, if the prosecuting attorney’s office operates the program, determine if the case is one that is appropriate to be referred to the program. In determining whether to refer a case to the program, the probation department or prosecuting attorney shall consider, but is not limited to, all of the following factors:

(1) Any prefiling investigation report conducted by the county probation department or nonprofit contract agency operating the program that evaluates the individual’s risk and needs and the appropriateness of program placement.

(2) If the person demonstrates a willingness to engage in community service, restitution, or other mechanisms to repair the harm caused by the criminal activity and address the underlying drivers of the criminal activity.

(3) If a risk and needs assessment identifies underlying substance abuse or mental health needs or other drivers of criminal activity that can be addressed through the diversion or deferred entry of judgment program.

(4) If the person has a violent or serious prior criminal record or has previously been referred to a diversion program and failed that program.

(5) Any relevant information concerning the efficacy of the program in reducing the likelihood of participants committing future offenses.

(d) On referral of a case to the program, a notice shall be provided, or forwarded by mail, to the person alleged to have committed the offense with both of the following:

(1) The date by which the person must contact the diversion program or deferred entry of judgment program in the manner designated by the supervising agency.

(2) A statement of the penalty for the offense or offenses with which that person has been charged.

(e) The prosecuting attorney may enter into a written agreement with the person to refrain from, or defer, prosecution on the offense or offenses on the following conditions:

(1) Completion of the program requirements such as community service or courses reasonably required by the prosecuting attorney.

(2) Making adequate restitution or an appropriate substitute for restitution to the establishment or person from which property was stolen at the face value of the stolen property, if required by the program.

(f) For the purposes of this section, “repeat theft offenses” means being cited or convicted for misdemeanor or felony theft from a store or from a vehicle two or more times in the previous 12 months and failing to appear in court when cited for these crimes or continuing to engage in these crimes after release or after conviction.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 131, Sec. 154. (AB 1754) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2026, pursuant to Section 1001.82.)