CA SB315

Establishes the COVID-19 Alternative Adjudication Program requiring courts to dismiss charges if a defendant meets specified conditions, including 6 months passing since release from custody and no subsequent misdemeanor or felony charges filed after the original charge.

Prohibits dismissal for serious felonies, violent felonies, domestic violence offenses, sex crimes, DUI violations, stalking, and violations of protective orders, among other specified offenses.

Requires defendants to consent to dismissal and prohibits dismissal if the defendant poses an unreasonable risk of danger to public safety or has pending violations of probation, parole, or supervision.

Mandates courts conduct hearings to determine restitution owed to victims and order payment before dismissal, with defendants able to agree to remain liable for unpaid balances as civil judgments even if indigent.

Deems arrests resulting in dismissal under this program to have never occurred, allows records to be sealed, and prohibits use of such records in employment, licensing, or benefit determinations without the defendant's consent; the program expires and is repealed on January 1, 2022.