(a) Presumption
Except where the defendant is statutorily ineligible for suspension of any part of the sentence, when imposing a term of imprisonment in county jail under section 1170(h), the court must suspend execution of a concluding portion of the term to be served as a period of mandatory supervision unless the court finds, in the interests of justice, that mandatory supervision is not appropriate in a particular case. Because section 1170(h)(5)(A) establishes a statutory presumption in favor of the imposition of a period of mandatory supervision in all applicable cases, denials of a period of mandatory supervision should be limited.
(Subd (a) amended effective January 1, 2017.)
(b) Criteria for denying mandatory supervision in the interests of justice
In determining that mandatory supervision is not appropriate in the interests of justice under section 1170(h)(5)(A), the court's determination must be based on factors that are specific to a particular case or defendant. Factors the court may consider include:
(1) Consideration of the balance of custody exposure available after imposition of presentence custody credits;
(2) The defendant's present status on probation, mandatory supervision, postrelease community supervision, or parole;
(3) Specific factors related to the defendant that indicate a lack of need for treatment or supervision upon release from custody; and
(4) Whether the nature, seriousness, or circumstances of the case or the defendant's past performance on supervision substantially outweigh the benefits of supervision in promoting public safety and the defendant's successful reentry into the community upon release from custody.
(c) Criteria affecting conditions and length of mandatory supervision
In exercising discretion to select the appropriate period and conditions of mandatory supervision, factors the court may consider include:
(1) Availability of appropriate community corrections programs;
(2) Victim restitution, including any conditions or period of supervision necessary to promote the collection of any court-ordered restitution;
(3) Consideration of length and conditions of supervision to promote the successful reintegration of the defendant into the community upon release from custody;
(4) Public safety, including protection of any victims and witnesses;
(5) Past performance and present status on probation, mandatory supervision, postrelease community supervision, and parole;
(6) The balance of custody exposure after imposition of presentence custody credits;
(7) Consideration of the statutory accrual of post-sentence custody credits for mandatory supervision under section 1170(h)(5)(B) and sentences served in county jail under section 4019(a)(6);
(8) The defendant's specific needs and risk factors identified by a risk/needs assessment, if available; and
(9) The likely effect of extended imprisonment on the defendant and any dependents.
(Subd (c) amended effective January 1, 2018.)
(d) Statement of reasons for denial of mandatory supervision
Notwithstanding rule 4.412(a), when a court denies a period of mandatory supervision in the interests of justice, the court must state the reasons for the denial on the record.
Rule 4.415 amended effective January 1, 2018; adopted effective January 1, 2015; previously amended effective January 1, 2017.
Advisory Committee Comment
Penal Code section 1170.3 requires the Judicial Council to adopt rules of court that prescribe criteria for the consideration of the court at the time of sentencing regarding the court's decision to "[d]eny a period of mandatory supervision in the interests of justice under paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 or determine the appropriate period of and conditions of mandatory supervision."
Subdivision (a). Penal Code section 1170(h)(5)(A): "Unless the court finds, in the interests of justice, that it is not appropriate in a particular case, the court, when imposing a sentence pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2) of this subdivision, shall suspend execution of a concluding portion of the term for a period selected at the court's discretion." Under People v. Borynack (2015) 238 Cal.App.4th 958, review denied, courts may not impose mandatory supervision when the defendant is statutorily ineligible for a suspension of part of the sentence.
Subdivisions (b)(3), (b)(4), and (c)(3). The Legislature has declared that "[s]trategies supporting reentering offenders through practices and programs, such as standardized risk and needs assessments, transitional community housing, treatment, medical and mental health services, and employment, have been demonstrated to significantly reduce recidivism among offenders in other states." (Pen. Code, ยง 17.7(a).)
Subdivision (c)(7). Under Penal Code section 1170(h)(5)(B), defendants serving a period of mandatory supervision are entitled to day-for-day credits: "During the period when the defendant is under such supervision, unless in actual custody related to the sentence imposed by the court, the defendant shall be entitled to only actual time credit against the term of imprisonment imposed by the court." In contrast, defendants serving terms of imprisonment in county jails under Penal Code section 1170(h) are entitled to conduct credits under Penal Code section 4019(a)(6).
Subdivision (c)(8). Standard 4.35 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration provides courts with additional guidance on using the results of a risk/needs assessment at sentencing.