§ 1170 Expense of keeping insane defendant.

When a defendant is found to be insane and needs to be held or cared for, someone has to pay for that care. This rule says the county pays those costs first. The county covers the bills right away so the person gets the care they need without delay.

But the county doesn't have to absorb that cost forever. If the defendant has money or property of their own, the county can seek repayment from that estate. The county can also try to collect the costs from a relative of the defendant.

In short, the county fronts the money, but it has the right to get paid back later. This protects taxpayers by making sure the financial burden doesn't fall only on the county if the defendant or their family has the means to pay.