People v. Stallman CA5

DISCUSSION

“Under the United States Constitution, ‘“‘any statute … which makes more burdensome the punishment for a crime, after its commission … is prohibited as ex post facto.’”’ [Citations.] The ex post facto clause of the state Constitution is in accord.” (People v. Saelee (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 27, 30-31.) The prohibition against ex post facto laws applies to restitution fines, which constitute punishment. (People v. Souza (2012) 54 Cal.4th 90, 143.) An increase in the minimum restitution fine makes the authorized punishment more burdensome. (People v. Saelee, supra, at pp. 30-31.) Therefore, a court cannot apply an increased minimum restitution fine retroactively to a defendant whose crime occurred prior to the increase in the minimum restitution fine.

All statutory references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise noted. Section 1202.4 provides in pertinent part: “(b) In every case where a person is convicted of a crime, the court shall impose a separate and additional restitution fine, unless it finds compelling and extraordinary reasons for not doing so and states those reasons on the record. [¶] (1) The restitution fine shall be set at the discretion of…