The California Penal Code is the primary set of statutes that define criminal offenses and criminal procedures in the state. Although penal code sections provide the formal definition of a criminal offense, court case law, legislative history and jury instructions offer further guidance as to how particular sections apply.
Below, our criminal defense attorneys offer an in-depth legal analysis of the most significant penal code sections:
Penal Code 17b PC | Motion to Reduce Felony to a Misdemeanor
Penal Code 19 PC | Punishment for Misdemeanor
Penal Code 31 PC | Aiding and Abetting
Penal Code 32 PC | Accessory After the Fact
Penal Code 67 PC | Bribery of Public Employees
Penal Code 68 PC | Bribery by Public Employees
Penal Code 69 PC | Resisting an Executive Officer
Penal Code 85 PC | Bribery of Elected Legislators
Penal Code 86 PC | Bribery by Elected Legislators
Penal Code 92 PC | Bribery of Judges or Jurors
Penal Code 93 PC | Bribery by Judges or Jurors
Penal Code 115 PC | Forging Deeds
Penal Code 118.1 PC | Police Officers Issuing False Reports
Penal Code 132 PC | Offering False Evidence
Penal Code 134 PC | Preparing False Evidence
Penal Code 135 PC | Destroying or Concealing Evidence
Penal Code 136.1 PC | Dissuading a Witness or Victim
Penal Code 137 PC | Bribery of Witnesses
Penal Code 138 PC | Bribery – Witness Taking a Bribe
Penal Code 141 PC | Planting or Tampering With Evidence
Penal Code 148 PC | Resisting Arrest
Penal Code 148g PC | Recording Public Officers
Penal Code 148.3 PC | False Report of an Emergency
Penal Code 148.4 PC | False Report of a Fire
Penal Code 148.5 PC | False Report of a Crime
Penal Code 148.9 PC | False Representation of Identity to a Police Officer
Penal Code 149 PC | Other Offenses Against Public Justice
Penal Code 152 PC | Concealing an Accidental Death
Penal Code 153 PC | Compounding a Crime
Penal Code 154 PC | Fraudulent Conveyance by a Debtor
Penal Code 155 PC | Fraudulent Conveyance by a Judgment Debtor
Penal Code 165 PC | Bribery of County Supervisors
Penal Code 166 PC | California “Contempt of Court” Laws
Penal Code 166.5 PC | Suspension of Child and Spousal Support Proceedings
Penal Code 169 PC | Picketing Outside Courthouse
Penal Code 171 PC | Bringing Weapons into Public Buildings
Penal Code 171.5(b) | Bringing a Weapon to an Airport
Penal Code 171.7 | Weapons at Public Transit Facilities
Penal Code 182 PC | Conspiracy
Penal Code 185 PC | Wearing a Mask or Disguise to Evade Police
Penal Code 186.10 PC | Money Laundering
Penal Code 186.11 PC | White Collar Crime Sentencing Enhancement
Penal Code 186.22 PC | Gang Enhancements
Penal Code 189 PC | Degrees of Murder
Penal Code 191 PC | Petit Treason Abolished
Penal Code 191.5(a) PC | Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated
Penal Code 191.5(b) PC | Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated
Penal Code 192(a) PC | Voluntary Manslaughter
Penal Code 192(b) PC | Involuntary Manslaughter
Penal Code 192(c) PC | Vehicular Manslaughter
Penal Code 193.8(a) PC | Furnishing a Motor to a Minor
Penal Code 195 PC | Excusable Homicide
Penal Code 196 PC | Justifiable Homicide by Peace Officers
Penal Code 197 PC | Justifiable Homicide by Other Person
Penal Code 198 PC | Self-defense Killings
Penal Code 198.5 PC | Castle Doctrine
Penal Code 205 PC | Aggravated Mayhem
Penal Code 207 PC | Kidnapping
Penal Code 208b PC | Kidnapping a Minor Child Under 14
Penal Code 209 PC | Kidnapping for Ransom
Penal Code 209.5 PC | Kidnapping During a Carjacking
Penal Code 210 PC | Extortion by Posing as a Kidnapper
Penal Code 210.5 PC | False Imprisonment of a Hostage to Avoid Arrest
Penal Code 212 PC | The Element of “Fear” in Robbery Cases
Penal Code 212.5 PC | First-Degree Robbery
Penal Code 213 | Punishment for Robbery
Penal Code 215 PC | Carjacking
Penal Code 217.1 PC | Assault on a Public Official
Penal Code 220 PC | Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony
Penal Code 236 PC | False Imprisonment
Penal Code 236.1 PC | Human Trafficking
Penal Code 237 PC | Punishment for False Imprisonment
Penal Code 241 | Assault on a Police Officer
Penal Code 243 PC | Penalties for Battery
Penal Code 243b / 243c PC | Battery on a Peace Officer
Penal Code 243(c)(2) | Battery on a Police Officer
Penal Code 243(d) PC | Battery With Serious Bodily Injury
Penal Code 243(e)(1) PC | Domestic Battery / Spousal Battery
Penal Code 243.4 PC | Sexual Battery
Penal Code 244 PC | Assault with Caustic Chemicals
Penal Code 245(a)(1) PC | Assault with a Deadly Weapon (ADW)
Penal Code 245(a)(2) PC | Assault with a Firearm
Penal Code 245(a)(4) PC | Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury
Penal Code 245.5 PC | Assault on a School Employee
Penal Code 246 PC | Shooting at Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Vehicle
Penal Code 246.3 PC | Negligent Discharge of a Firearm
Penal Code 247b PC | Shooting at an Unoccupied Vehicle or Building
Penal Code 247.5 PC | Pointing a Laser at an Aircraft
Penal Code 248 PC | Shining Light at Aircraft to Interfere with Operations
Penal Code 261.5 PC | Statutory Rape
Penal Code 262 PC | Spousal Rape
Penal Code 264 PC | Punishment for Rape
Penal Code 264.1 PC | (Gang) Rape in Concert
Penal Code 266 PC | Enticing a Child to Prostitution
Penal Code 269 PC | Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Penal Code 270 PC | Failure to Provide Care (Child Neglect)
Penal Code 270.1(a) PC | Failure to Enforce a Child’s School Attendance
Penal Code 272 PC | Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
Penal Code 273(a) PC | Child Endangerment
Penal Code 273(d) PC | Child Abuse
Penal Code 273(g) PC | Lewdness or Intoxication in the Presence of a Child
Penal Code 273.5 PC | Domestic Violence Body Injury
Penal Code 273.6 PC | Violating a Restraining Order
Penal Code 278 PC | Child Abduction
Penal Code 278.5 PC | Deprivation of Child Custody or Visitation
Penal Code 284 PC | Marrying the Husband or Wife of Another
Penal Code 287 PC | Oral Copulation with a Minor Child
Penal Code 288 PC | Lewd Acts with a Child Under 14
Penal Code 288a PC | Oral Copulation with a Child
Penal Code 288b1 PC | Lewd Acts with a Child Using Force or Fear
Penal Code 288b2 PC | Lewd Acts by a Caregiver on a Dependent Person
Penal Code 288.1 PC | Mental Health Evaluations in Sex Offender Cases
Penal Code 288.2 PC | Sending Harmful Matter of Intent With Seducing Minor
Penal Code 288.3 PC | Contacting a Minor to Commit a Felony
Penal Code 288.4 PC | Arranging a Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes
Penal Code 288.5 PC | Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Penal Code 288.7 PC | Sexual Acts with a Child Under 10
Penal Code 288i PC | Lewd Acts with a Child Causing Bodily Harm
Penal Code 289 PC | Forcible Acts of Sexual Penetration with a Foreign Object
Penal Code 289.6 PC | Sex with an Inmate
Penal Code 290 PC | Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
Penal Code 302 PC | Disturbing a Religious Meeting
Penal Code 303a | Loitering to Solicit the Purchase of Alcohol
Penal Code 311 PC | Child Pornography
Penal Code 311.11 | Possession of Child Pornography
Penal Code 311.2 | Production, Exhibition, or Distribution of Obscene Matter
Penal Code 314 PC | Indecent Exposure
Penal Code 332 PC | Obtaining Property Through Gambling Fraud
Penal Code 337a PC | Bookmaking/Pool-Selling/Wagering
Penal Code 347 PC | Poisoning Food, Medicine or Water Supply
Penal Code 350 PC | Manufacture or Sale of Counterfeit Marks
Penal Code 365.7 PC | Service Dog Fraud
Penal Code 368 PC | Elder Abuse
Penal Code 372 PC | Creating or Maintaining a Public Nuisance
Penal Code 373a PC | Maintaining or Permitting a Public Nuisance after Abatement Notice
Penal Code 374.3 PC | Illegal Waste Dumping
Penal Code 381b PC | Possession of / Under the Influence of Nitrous Oxide
Penal Code 398 PC | Owner’s Responsibilities After a Dog Bite
Penal Code 399 PC | Failing to Control a Dangerous Animal
Penal Code 399.5 PC | Owning Dogs Trained to Attack, Kill or Fight
Penal Code 401 PC | Aiding a Suicide
Penal Code 402(a) PC | Sightseeing at the Scene of an Emergency
Penal Code 402(b) PC | Abandoning an Appliance or Refridgerator without Removing the Door
Penal Code 403 PC | Disturbing a Meeting
Penal Code 404.6 PC | Inciting a Riot
Penal Code 405 PC | Rioting Penalties
Penal Code 405a | Taking Prisoner by Means of a Riot
Penal Code 407 PC | Unlawful Assembly
Penal Code 408 PC | Unlawful Assembly
Penal Code 409 PC | Failure to Disperse at a Riot
Penal Code 409.5 PC | Unauthorized Entry into a Closed Emergency Area
Penal Code 415 PC | Disturbing the Peace
Penal Code 416 PC | Failure to Disperse
Penal Code 417 PC | Drawing, Exhibiting or Using (Brandishing) a Firearm or Weapon
Penal Code 417.25 PC | Aiming or Pointing a Laser Scope
Penal Code 417.4 PC | Brandishing an Imitation Firearm
Penal Code 417.6 PC | Brandishing a Firearm with Serious Bodily Injury
Penal Code 422 PC | Criminal Threats (Formerly called Terrorist Threats)
Penal Code 422.55 PC | Hate Crime Definition
Penal Code 422.6 PC | Commission of a Hate Crime
Penal Code 422.7 PC | Hate Crimes Misdemeanor Sentencing Enhancement
Penal Code 422.75 PC | Hate Crimes Felony Sentencing Enhancement
Penal Code 424 PC | Misappropriation of Public Funds
Penal Code 452 PC | Reckless Burning
Penal Code 459.5 PC | Shoplifting
Penal Code 460 PC | First-Degree Residential Burglary
Penal Code 464 PC | Burglary of a Safe or Vault / Burglary with Explosives
Penal Code 466 PC | Possession of Burglary Tools
Penal Code 469 PC | Unauthorized Duplication of Key to State Building
Penal Code 470a PC | Forging Counterfeiting or Drivers Licenses or ID Cards
Penal Code 470b PC | Possession of a Fake Drivers License or ID Card
Penal Code 472 PC | Forgery or Counterfeit of a Public or Corporate Seal
Penal Code 475 PC | Possession of Counterfeit Items
Penal Code 476 PC | Check Fraud
Penal Code 476a PC | Bad Checks
Penal Code 484 PC | Petty Theft
Penal Code 484e PC | Stealing Credit Cards
Penal Code 484f PC | Forging Credit Card Information
Penal Code 484g PC | Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
Penal Code 484h PC | Credit Card Fraud by Retailers
Penal Code 484i PC | Counterfeiting Credit Cards
Penal Code 484j PC | Publishing Credit Card Information
Penal Code 485 PC | Appropriation of Lost Property
Penal Code 487(d)(1) PC | Grand Theft Auto (GTA)
Penal Code 487(d)(2) PC | Grand Theft Firearm
Penal Code 487 PC | Grand Theft
Penal Code 488 PC | Petty Theft Defined
Penal Code 490.5 PC | Civil Demand Letters for Shoplifting
Penal Code 496 PC | Receiving Stolen Property
Penal Code 496d | Receiving a Stolen Vehicle
Penal Code 499b PC | Joyriding of a Bike or Vessel
Penal Code 499c PC | Theft of Trade Secrets
Penal Code 502 PC | Unauthorized Access to a Computer
Penal Code 503 PC | Embezzlement
Penal Code 504 PC | Embezzlement by a Public Officer
Penal Code 519 | Definition of Fear in Crime of extortion
Penal Code 522 PC | Obtaining a Signature by Extortion
Penal Code 523 PC | Extortion by Means of a Threatening Letter
Penal Code 524 PC | Attempted Extortion
Penal Code 526 PC | Extortion by a Fake Court Order
Penal Code 527 PC | Crimes Involving Fake Court Orders
Penal Code 529 PC | False Personation
Penal Code 530.5 PC | Identity Theft
Penal Code 530.5(e) PC | Mail Theft
Penal Code 531 PC | Party to a Fraudulent Conveyance
Penal Code 532 PC | False Pretenses
Penal Code 537 PC | Defrauding an Innkeeper
Penal Code 538d PC | Impersonating a Peace Officer
Penal Code 548 PC | Fraudulent Insurance Claim of Damage or Theft
Penal Code 549 PC | Referrals to Auto Repair Shops for Fraud
Penal Code 550 PC | Submitting Fraudulent Insurance Claims
Penal Code 551 PC | Unlawful Referral to an Auto Repair Dealer
Penal Code 587 PC | Damaging Railroad Tracks
Penal Code 591 PC | Damaging Phone, Electrical or Utility Lines
Penal Code 591.5 PC | Damaging a Communication Device with Intent to Prevent Help
Penal Code 594.3 PC | Vandalism of a Place of Worship
Penal Code 596 PC | Animal Poisoning
Penal Code 597 PC | Animal Abuse
Penal Code 597.5 PC | Dogfighting
Penal Code 597.7 PC | Leaving a Pet Unattended in a Car
Penal Code 597(b) PC | Cockfighting
Penal Code 601 PC | Aggravated Trespass
Penal Code 602 PC | Trespassing
Penal Code 602.1 PC | Obstructing a Public Business Establishment
Penal Code 602.5 PC | Aggravated Trespass
Penal Code 602.9 | Renting Without Owner’s Consent
Penal Code 626.9 PC | California’s Gun-Free School Zone Act
Penal Code 626.10 PC | Weapons on School Grounds
Penal Code 631 PC | Wiretapping
Penal Code 632 PC | Eavesdropping
Penal Code 641.3 PC | Commercial Bribery
Penal Code 646.9 PC | Stalking
Penal Code 647(a) PC | Engaging in Lewd Conduct
Penal Code 647(b) PC | Engaging in Prostitution
Penal Code 647(c) | Aggressive Panhandling
Penal Code 647(f) PC | Drunk in Public
Penal Code 647(h) | Loitering to Commit a Crime
Penal Code 647(i) PC | Peeking while Loitering
Penal Code 647(j) PC | Invasion of Privacy
Penal Code 647(j)(4) PC | “Revenge Porn”
Penal Code 647.6 PC | Annoying or Molesting a Child under 18
Penal Code 653 PC | Tattooing a Minor
Penal Code 653.22 PC | Loitering With Intent to Commit Prostitution
Penal Code 653.23 PC | Aiding or Supervising a Prostitute
Penal Code 653b PC | Loitering at a School
Penal Code 653f PC | Soliciting Someone to Commit a Crime
Penal Code 653m PC | Annoying Phone Calls
Penal Code 653.2 PC | Posting Harmful Information on the Internet
Penal Code 654 PC | Multiple Punishments for the Same Act
Penal Code 664 PC | Attempted Crimes
Penal Code 664-187 PC | Attempted Murder
Penal Code 666 PC | Petty Theft with a Prior
Penal Code 666.5 PC | Auto Theft with a Prior
Penal Code 667 | Three Strikes Law
Penal Code 667.5(c) PC | “Violent” Felonies
Penal Code 667.61 PC | California’s “One Strike” Law
Penal Code 667.71 PC | Habitual Sexual Offenders
Penal Code 801.1 PC | Statute of Limitations for Specified Sex Crimes
Penal Code 835 | Reasonable Restraint During Arrests
Penal Code 837 | Citizen’s Arrests
Penal Code 849b | Warrantless Arrests and Release from Custody
Penal Code 851.8 PC – Petition for Factual Innocence
Penal Code 851.87 PC | Seal and Destroy Arrest Records
Penal Code 853.6 PC | Notice to Appear in Misdemeanor Cases
Penal Code 853.7 PC | Violating a Written Promise to Appear
Penal Code 853.8 | Failure to Appear after Written Promise to Appear
Penal Code 991 | Probable Cause Hearing in a Misdemeanor Case
Penal Code 977 PC | Waiver of Presence for Misdemeanor Cases
Penal Code 978.5 PC | Bench Warrants
Penal Code 995 PC | Motion to Dismiss
Penal Code 1000 PC | Alternative Sentencing Drug Diversion Program
Penal Code 1001.36 PC | Mental Health Diversion
Penal Code 1001.80 PC | Military Diversion for PTSD / Mental Health
Penl Code 1050 PC | Motion for Continuance
Penal Code 1118 | Motion for New Trial
Penal Code 1170 | Felony Sentencing
Penal Code 1170.9 PC | Veterans Treatment in Lieu of Jail
Penal Code 1192.7(c) PC | “Serious” Felonies
Penal Code 1203.2 PC | Probation Violations
Penal Code 1203.4 PC | Expungement of Criminal Convictions
Penal Code 1214 PC | Restitution & Civil Judgement
Penal Code 1214.1 PC | Fine for Failure to Appear
Penal Code 1320 & 1320.5 PC | Failure to Appear
Penal Code 1368 PC | Competency to Stand Trial
Penal Code 1382 | Speedy Trial Rules
Penal Code 1531 | Force Entry after Knock and Announce
Penal Code 1538.5 PC | Motion to Suppress Evidence
Penal Code 3056 PC | Custody While Awaiting Parole Revocation Hearing
Penal Code 3455 PC | Post Release Community Supervision
Penal Code 4450 PC | Rescuing a Prisoner
Penal Code 4502 PC | Possession or Manufacture of Weapons in Jail or Prison
Penal Code 4573 PC | Bringing Narcotics into a Correction Facility
Penal Code 4573.5 PC | Bringing Contraband into a Correctional Facility
Penal Code 4800 PC | Commutation of Sentence
Penal Code 4852 PC | Procedures for Certificate of Rehabilitation and Pardon
Penal Code 11418 PC | Weapons of Mass Destruction
Penal Code PC 12022 PC | Personal Use of a Firearm
Penal Code 12022.1 PC | Committing a Felony While on Bail
Penal Code 12022.2 PC | Felony Using Armor Piercing Ammunition
Penal Code 12022.3 PC | Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Sex Crime
Penal Code 12022.4 PC | Aiding or Abetting a Felony Using a Firearm
Penal Code 12022.5 PC | Use of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony
Penal Code 12022.53 PC | 10-20-Life Sentencing Enhancement
Penal Code 12202.7 PC | Great Bodily Injury
Penal Code 12556 PC | Imitation Firearms
Penal Code 13700 | Domestic Violence Definition
Penal Code 13730 | Domestic Violence reports
Penal Code 16520 PC | Definition of a Firearm
Penal Code 16590 PC | Manufacture, Sale, or Possession of Dangerous Weapons
Penal Code 17500 PC | Possession of a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Assault
Penal Code 17730 PC | Wallet Guns
Penal Code 18710 PC | Possession of a Destructive Device or Explosives
Penal Code 18715 PC | Possession in public or private place or on common carrier vehicle
Penal Code 18720 PC | Possession of Destructive Device Materials
Penal Code 18740 PC | Possession, explosion, or igniting, with intent to injure or intimidate
Penal Code 20310 PC | Air Gauge Knives
Penal Code 20410 PC | Belt Buckle Knives
Penal Code 20510 PC | Cane Swords
Penal Code 20610 PC | Lipstick Case Knives
Penal Code 20710 PC | Shobi-Zeus
Penal Code 20910 PC | Writing Pen Knives
Penal Code 21110 PC | Ballistic Knives
Penal Code 21310 PC | Carrying or Dirk Dagger
Penal Code 21510 PC | Carrying a Switchblade
Penal Code 21810 PC | Possession of Brass Knuckles
Penal Code 22010 PC | Possession of Nunchucks
Penal Code 22210 PC | Batons and Leaded Canes
Penal Code 22410 PC | Possession of Shurikens
Penal Code 22610 PC | Stun Guns
Penal Code 22810 PC | Unlawful Use of Tear Gas
Penal Code 22910 PC | Defacing a Tear Gas Weapon
Penal Code 23515 | Preliminary provisions (Offenses that involve the violent use of a firearm)
Penal Code 24310 PC | Camouflaging Firearm Containers
Penal Code 24410 PC | Possession of Cane Guns
Penal Code 24610 PC | Undetectable Firearms
Penal Code 24710 PC | Wallet Guns
Penal Code 25100 PC | Criminal Storage of a Firearm
Penal Code 25400 PC | Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Penal Code 25610 PC | Conditions on Carrying Firearm in Motor Vehicle
Penal Code 25850 PC | Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public or a Vehicle
Penal Code 26100 PC | Shooting from a Motor Vehicle
Penal Code 26150 PC | Eligibility to Obtain License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)
Penal Code 26155 PC | Obtaining a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon (CCW)
Penal Code 26350 PC | Openly Carrying a Firearm
Penal Code 26500 PC | Unlicensed Sale of Firearms in California
Penal Code 29800 PC | Felon with a Firearm
Penal Code 29805 PC | Firearm Possession After Misdemeanor Convictions
Penal Code 29810 PC | Relinquishing Firearms by Convicted Persons
Penal Code 29820 PC | Possession of Firearms by Juvenile Wards
Penal Code 29825 PC | Possession of Firearm in Violation of Court Order
Penal Code 29900 | Jail Sentence for Ex-Felon with Firearm
Penal Code 29905 | Violent offenses
Penal Code 30315 PC | Possession of Armor-Piercing Ammunition
Penal Code 30610 PC | Possession of a 50 BMG Rifle
Penal Code 30210 | Bullets with an Explosive Agent
Penal Code 30305(a)(1) | Possession of Ammunition by Felon or Person Prohibited
Penal Code 30600 PC | Sale or Manufacture of Assault Weapons
Penal Code 30605 PC | Possession of an Assault Weapon
Penal Code 32310 PC | Large Capacity Magazines
Penal Code 32900 PC | Bump Stocks
Penal Code 33215 PC | Short-Barreled Rifles & Sawed-Off Shotguns
Penal Code 33410 PC | Possession of a Silencer