Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
Crimes by Code
Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
California DUI
DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. Visit our California DUI page to learn more.
Post Conviction
A criminal record can affect job, immigration, licensing and even housing opportunities. In this section, we offer solutions for clearing up your prior record.
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Under California law, eavesdropping is the crime where people listen in on a private conversation without the knowledge or consent of the parties, and use either a recording device to record the conversation or an amplifying device to help hear the conversation. The offense can lead to either misdemeanor or felony charges with penalties as severe as up to three years in prison.
Penal Code 632 PC is the California statute that makes eavesdropping a crime.
A prosecutor must prove the following to convict a person of this offense:
Consider, for example, the scenario where you’re in the bathroom stall at work, and two co-workers come in and they start talking about some confidential matter. They don’t realize you’re in the bathroom stall, and you quietly overhear their conversation. That is not eavesdropping. That’s at least not illegal eavesdropping as the law defines it because you’re not using any device to amplify or record the conversation.
But suppose you take out your iPhone and start recording their conversation. The recording makes your actions illegal, and you could be guilty of eavesdropping.
A violation of 632 PC is a wobbler. A wobbler is an offense that a prosecutor can charge as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on:
Misdemeanor eavesdropping is punishable by:
Felony eavesdropping is punishable by:
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, Court TV, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.
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