The People v. Craig CA3

BACKGROUND

Defendant and an associate2 ordered the three teenage victims to the ground and took their money, jewelry and shoes. Charged with three robbery counts (one for each victim), defendant eventually entered a negotiated plea of no contest to one robbery count and admitted personally using a gun during the robbery, in exchange for a stipulated sentence. The other two robbery counts were dismissed with a Harvey3 waiver for restitution. The probation report stated that the three victims had incurred losses in connection with the robbery of $150, $690, and $878, respectively. It noted that one victim included “moving expenses” in his restitution claim; as to another victim, “[a]n additional amount of $1,542.00 is being requested for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for reimbursement for relocation[.]”4 Defense counsel secured a copy of the

2 The associate was found guilty by jury of charges arising from these crimes. 3 People v. Harvey (1979) 25 Cal.3d 754. 4 No party challenges the trial court‟s designation of the restitution payment to the VVCP rather than to the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (Board)-- the entity designated by the…