Diversion: victim's right to restitution.

The California Constitution, as amended by Proposition 9, the Victims' Bill of Rights Act of 2008: Marsy's Law, at the November 4, 2008, statewide general election, entitles the victim of a crime to specified rights, including the right to seek and secure restitution from the person convicted of the crime that caused the victim to suffer losses. Existing law provides that entry of judgment may be deferred with respect to a defendant who is charged with certain crimes involving possession of controlled substances and who meets certain criteria, as specified. This bill would provide that a sentence to the diversion program described above qualifies as a conviction for purposes of a victim seeking and securing restitution, as that term is described in the constitutional provision.