In a significant move towards supporting victims of crime, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, alongside Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, has introduced legislation known as the Restitution First Act. Unveiled as AB 1213, this act seeks to ensure that any financial compensations owed to crime victims are prioritized above all other financial obligations of the convicted.
“Receiving restitution is an essential component to victims of crime being made whole after a crime is committed,” stated District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. This collaboration, buoyed by insights from incarcerated individuals who desire to make amends, aims to place victims at the heart of the justice process. According to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office, the Restitution First Act will amend existing protocols, which may require convicted individuals to address other debts before compensating their victims.
Adding her perspective on the bill’s urgent necessity, Assembly member Catherine Stefani expressed via social media her alignment with this victim-centric approach: “Victims of crime shouldn’t have to wait in line for restitution. The Restitution First Act guarantees that restitution takes priority over all other financial obligations, ensuring victims receive what they are owed,” Stefani shared in a social media post. Stefani’s efforts, including creating the Office of Victims and Witness Rights, are consistent with this legislative push for victim prioritization…