Opinion ID: 2253638
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Civil Compromise Generally

Text: When a crime is only a misdemeanor, and the person injured has a remedy by a civil action, the offense may be compromised. (Pen.Code, § 1377; see People v. Tischman (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 174, 178 [40 Cal.Rptr.2d 650].) Penal Code sections 1377-1379 govern the rules and procedures for a civil compromise. Under Penal Code section 1378, the procedure is described. The injured person appears before the court in which the action is pending at any time before trial, and acknowledges that he or she has received satisfaction for the injury. ( Ibid. ) The court then may, in its discretion, on payment of the costs incurred, order all proceedings to be stayed upon the prosecution, and the defendant to be discharged therefrom. ( Ibid. ) The reasons and factual basis for the order must be set forth in the order and entered in the minutes. (Pen.Code, § 1378; see People v. Stephen (1986) 182 Cal.App.3d Supp. 14, 22 [227 Cal.Rptr. 380], and People v. McWhinney (1988) 206 Cal.App.3d Supp. 8, 11 [254 Cal.Rptr. 205], [both indicating that reasons for compromise must be entered in minutes, not just the transcript].) The order is a bar to another prosecution for the same offense. (Pen.Code, § 1378.) There is no requirement in Penal Code sections 1377-1379 that the prosecutor join in or agree to a civil compromise. Penal Code section 1379 indicates that [n]o public offense can be compromised, nor can any proceeding or prosecution for the punishment thereof upon a compromise be stayed, except as provided in this chapter.