California · Penal Code

PEN §13151.1: When a disposition described in Section 13151 is one of dismissal of the charge, the disposition report shall state one of the following reasons, as appropriate: (a) Dismissal in furtherance of justic

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute requires courts to state specific reasons when dismissing criminal charges, such as dismissal in furtherance of justice, insufficient evidence, case compromise, or procedural defects.

Read the full statutory text
When a disposition described in Section 13151 is one of dismissal of the charge, the disposition report shall state one of the following reasons, as appropriate: (a) Dismissal in furtherance of justice, pursuant to Section 1385 of the Penal Code. In addition to this dismissal label, the court shall set forth the particular reasons for dismissal. (b) Case compromised; defendant discharged because restitution or other satisfaction was made to the injured person, pursuant to Sections 1377 and 1378. (c) Court found insufficient cause to believe defendant guilty of a public offense; defendant discharged without trial pursuant to Section 871. (d) Dismissal due to delay; action against defendant dismissed because the information was not filed or the action was not brought to trial within the time allowed by Section 1381, 1381.5, or 1382. (e) Accusation set aside pursuant to Section 995. In addition to this dismissal label, the court shall set forth the particular reasons for the dismissal. (f) Defective accusation; defendant discharged pursuant to Section 1008, when the action is dismissed pursuant to that section after demurrer is sustained, because no amendment of the accusatory pleading is permitted or amendment is not made or filed within the time allowed. (g) Defendant became a witness for the people and was discharged pursuant to Section 1099. (h) Defendant discharged at trial because of insufficient evidence, in order to become a witness for his codefendant pursuant to Section 1100. (i) Judgment arrested; defendant discharged, when the court finds defects in the accusatory pleading pursuant to Sections 1185 to 1187, inclusive, and defendant is released pursuant to Section 1188. (j) Judgment arrested; defendant recommitted, when the court finds defects in the accusatory pleading pursuant to Sections 1185 to 1187, inclusive, and defendant is recommitted to answer a new indictment or information pursuant to Section 1188. (k) Mistrial; defendant discharged. In addition to this dismissal label, the court shall set forth the particular reasons for its declaration of a mistrial. ( l ) Mistrial; defendant recommitted. In addition to this dismissal label, the court shall set forth the particular reasons for its declaration of a mistrial. (m) Any other dismissal by which the case was terminated. In addition to the dismissal label, the court shall set forth the particular reasons for the disposition.

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