People v. Martinez

Opinion

KENNARD, J.

A jury convicted defendant of attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. Treating the state agency that disposed of the hazardous substances found at the illegal drug laboratory as a crime victim, the trial court ordered defendant to reimburse the agency for its cleanup costs of $5,402.67. The court did so under Penal Code section 1202.4, subdivision (f), which requires restitution to a crime victim when, “as a result of the defendant’s conduct,” the victim “has suffered economic loss.” We conclude that this statute was an improper basis for the restitution order because the…