For purposes of California’s three strikes law, serious felonies are listed in California Penal Code Section 1192.7(c). A few serious felonies are listed in PC 1192.8(a) as well. Along with violent felonies, a conviction for any of these crimes will count as a prior strike.
A complete list of the serious felonies in California are:
- Murder (PC 187) or voluntary manslaughter (PC 192)
- Mayhem (PC 203)
- Rape (PC 261)
- Sodomy (PC 286) by force, violence, duress, menace, threat of great bodily injury, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
- Oral copulation (PC 287) by force, violence, duress, menace, threat of great bodily injury, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
- Lewd or lascivious act on a child under the age of 14 years (PC 288)
- Any felony punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison for life
- Any felony in which the defendant personally inflicts great bodily injury (PC 12022.7) on any person, other than an accomplice, or any felony in which the defendant personally uses a firearm
- Attempted murder (PC 664/187(a))
- Assault (PC 240) with intent to commit rape or robbery
- Assault with a deadly weapon (245(a)(1)) or instrument on a peace officer
- Assault by a life prisoner on a non-inmate
- Assault with a deadly weapon by an inmate
- Arson (PC 451)
- Exploding a destructive device or any explosive with the intent to injure
- Exploding a destructive device or any explosive causing bodily injury, great bodily injury or mayhem
- Exploding a destructive device or any explosive with intent to murder
- Any burglary (PC 459) of the first degree
- Robbery PC 211) or bank robbery
- Kidnapping (PC 207)
- Holding of a hostage by a person confined in a state prison
- Attempt to commit a felony punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison for life
- Any felony in which the defendant personally used a dangerous or deadly weapon
- Selling, furnishing, administering, giving, or offering to sell, furnish, administer, or give to a minor any heroin, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), or any methamphetamine-related drug, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 11055 of the Health and Safety Code, or any of the precursors of methamphetamines, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11055 or subdivision (a) of Section 11100 of the Health and Safety Code
- Any violation of subdivision (a) of Penal Code 289 where the act is accomplished against the victim’s will by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
- Grand theft (PC 487) involving a firearm
- Carjacking (PC 215)
- A felony offense, which would also constitute a felony violation of Penal Code 186.22 (relating to criminal street gang sentencing enhancements)
- Assault with the intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, or oral copulation, in violation of Penal Code 220
- Assault with caustic chemicals (PC 244)
- Assault with a deadly weapon, firearm, machine gun, assault weapon, or semiautomatic firearm or assault on a peace officer or firefighter, in violation of Penal Code 245
- Assault with a deadly weapon against a public transit employee, custodial officer, or school employee, in violation of Penal Code Sections 245.2, 245.3, or 245.5
- Discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or aircraft (PC 246)
- Commission of rape or sexual penetration in concert with another person, in violation of Penal Code 264.1
- Continuous sexual abuse of a child, in violation of Penal Code 288.5
- Shooting from a vehicle, in violation of subdivision (c) or (d) of Penal Code 26100 (relating to “drive-by” shootings).
- Intimidation of victims or witnesses, in violation of Penal Code 136.1
- Criminal threats, in violation of Penal Code 422
- Any attempt to commit a “serious felony” other than an assault
- Any violation of Penal Code 12022.53
- A violation of subdivision (b) or (c) of Penal Code 11418 (relating to weapons of mass destruction)
- Human trafficking of a minor in violation of Penal Code 236.1(c)
- Any conspiracy to commit a “serious felony”
- Any violation of Penal Code 191.5, paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 192, subdivision (a), (b), or (c) of Section 192.5 of this code, or Section 2800.3, subdivision (b) of Section 23104, or Section 23153 of the Vehicle Code, when any of these offenses involve the personal infliction of great bodily injury on any person other than an accomplice, or the personal use of a dangerous or deadly weapon, within the meaning of paragraph (8) or (23) of subdivision (c) of PC Section 1192.7
Frequently-Asked-Questions
Can I be charged with violating PC 1192.7(c)?
No. PC 1192.7(c) does not create a separate crime; it merely enumerates all the serious felonies.
Instead, you get prosecuted under a specific felony’s PC code, and the criminal complaint also mentions that it is a serious felony. For example, if you are accused of sexual assault, your charging document would read:
Count 1: PC 261 – Rape; PC 1192.7(c)(3) Serious Felony
Can I get bail for a serious felony?
It depends on your case. Since they are serious felonies, any bail that is set will likely be very high. Your attorney can always request a lower bail or even O.R. release at a bail hearing.
Can I get a plea bargain?
Many serious felonies are ineligible for a charge reduction or dismissal unless prosecutors have insufficient evidence to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Examples of such serious felonies that cannot be plea bargained down include:
- driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) – PC1192(a)(2)
- any serious felony where you personally used a gun while committing the felony
Can I get probation if convicted?
The majority of serious felonies are ineligible for probation unless there are unusual circumstances. To argue for unusual circumstances, your criminal defense attorney would draft a motion explaining to the judge all the mitigating factors that justify you getting probation rather than prison.
Can I go to jail instead of prison?
Most serious felonies are prison presumptive crimes, which means the judge:
- cannot instead grant a county jail sentence in accordance with PC 1170(h) and
- cannot split or suspend the sentence as part of a plea bargain.
What about serious felonies that are wobblers?
Many of the offenses listed under PC 1192.7(c) are wobblers, meaning they can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors. If prosecutors choose to bring them as misdemeanors, then they cannot be considered “serious felonies” or strike offenses.
Examples of PC 1192.7(c) wobbler crimes are:
- assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245)
- battery on a custodial officer (PC 243(c)(1)
- criminal street gang activity (PC 186.22(a))
- criminal threats (PC 422)
- dissuading a witness (PC 136.1(b)(2))
- vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence (PC 191.5(b))
What about serious felonies that are “violent felonies”?
Many of the serious felonies listed under PC 1192.7(c) are also considered violent felonies under PC 667.5. Both serious and violent felonies count as strike offenses.
What are the penalties for strike convictions?
Third strikers face 25 years to life in prison. Meanwhile, a second strike carries up to double the maximum sentence.
Second or third strikers generally must serve 80% of their sentences before they can be released. This becomes 85% for a violent felony conviction.
There are exceptions. For example, it may be possible to get released after serving only half a sentence for criminal threats or assault with a deadly weapon. However, there is no early release for murder convictions.
Note that Los Angeles County prosecutors impose laxer rules for increasing sentences based on prior strikes. Learn more at Special Directive 21-01.
Legal Citations:
- The full language of the statute reads as follows:
(a) (1) It is the intent of the Legislature that district attorneys prosecute violent sex crimes under statutes that provide sentencing under a “one strike,” “three strikes” or habitual sex offender statute instead of engaging in plea bargaining over those offenses.
(2) Plea bargaining in any case in which the indictment or information charges any serious felony, any felony in which it is alleged that a firearm was personally used by the defendant, or any offense of driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, or any other intoxicating substance, or any combination thereof, is prohibited, unless there is insufficient evidence to prove the people’s case, or testimony of a material witness cannot be obtained, or a reduction or dismissal would not result in a substantial change in sentence.
(3) If the indictment or information charges the defendant with a violent sex crime, as listed in subdivision (c) of Section 667.61, that could be prosecuted under Sections 269, 288.7, subdivisions (b) through (i) of Section 667, Section 667.61, or 667.71, plea bargaining is prohibited unless there is insufficient evidence to prove the people’s case, or testimony of a material witness cannot be obtained, or a reduction or dismissal would not result in a substantial change in sentence. At the time of presenting the agreement to the court, the district attorney shall state on the record why a sentence under one of those sections was not sought.
(b) As used in this section, “plea bargaining” means any bargaining, negotiation, or discussion between a criminal defendant, or their counsel, and a prosecuting attorney or judge, whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty or nolo contendere, in exchange for any promises, commitments, concessions, assurances, or consideration by the prosecuting attorney or judge relating to any charge against the defendant or to the sentencing of the defendant.
(c) As used in this section, “serious felony” means any of the following:
(1) Murder or voluntary manslaughter; (2) mayhem; (3) rape; (4) sodomy by force, violence, duress, menace, threat of great bodily injury, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person; (5) oral copulation by force, violence, duress, menace, threat of great bodily injury, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person; (6) lewd or lascivious act on a child under 14 years of age; (7) any felony punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison for life; (8) any felony in which the defendant personally inflicts great bodily injury on any person, other than an accomplice, or any felony in which the defendant personally uses a firearm; (9) attempted murder; (10) assault with intent to commit rape or robbery; (11) assault with a deadly weapon or instrument on a peace officer; (12) assault by a life prisoner on a noninmate; (13) assault with a deadly weapon by an inmate; (14) arson; (15) exploding a destructive device or any explosive with intent to injure; (16) exploding a destructive device or any explosive causing bodily injury, great bodily injury, or mayhem; (17) exploding a destructive device or any explosive with intent to murder; (18) any burglary of the first degree; (19) robbery or bank robbery; (20) kidnapping; (21) holding of a hostage by a person confined in a state prison; (22) attempt to commit a felony punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison for life; (23) any felony in which the defendant personally used a dangerous or deadly weapon; (24) selling, furnishing, administering, giving, or offering to sell, furnish, administer, or give to a minor any heroin, cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), or any methamphetamine-related drug, as described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section 11055 of the Health and Safety Code, or any of the precursors of methamphetamines, as described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (f) of Section 11055 or subdivision (a) of Section 11100 of the Health and Safety Code; (25) any violation of subdivision (a) of Section 289 where the act is accomplished against the victim’s will by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person; (26) grand theft involving a firearm; (27) carjacking; (28) any felony offense, which would also constitute a felony violation of Section 186.22; (29) assault with the intent to commit mayhem, rape, sodomy, or oral copulation, in violation of Section 220; (30) throwing acid or flammable substances, in violation of Section 244; (31) assault with a deadly weapon, firearm, machinegun, assault weapon, or semiautomatic firearm or assault on a peace officer or firefighter, in violation of Section 245; (32) assault with a deadly weapon against a public transit employee, custodial officer, or school employee, in violation of Section 245.2, 245.3, or 245.5; (33) discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, vehicle, or aircraft, in violation of Section 246; (34) commission of rape or sexual penetration in concert with another person, in violation of Section 264.1; (35) continuous sexual abuse of a child, in violation of Section 288.5; (36) shooting from a vehicle, in violation of subdivision (c) or (d) of Section 26100; (37) intimidation of victims or witnesses, in violation of Section 136.1; (38) criminal threats, in violation of Section 422; (39) any attempt to commit a crime listed in this subdivision other than an assault; (40) any violation of Section 12022.53; (41) a violation of subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 11418; (42) human trafficking of a minor, in violation of subdivision (c) of Section 236.1, except, with respect to a violation of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 236.1, where the person who committed the offense was a victim of human trafficking, as described in subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 236.1, at the time of the offense; and (43) any conspiracy to commit an offense described in this subdivision.
(d) As used in this section, “bank robbery” means to take or attempt to take, by force or violence, or by intimidation from the person or presence of another any property or money or any other thing of value belonging to, or in the care, custody, control, management, or possession of, any bank, credit union, or any savings and loan association.
As used in this subdivision, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) “Bank” means any member of the Federal Reserve System, and any bank, banking association, trust company, savings bank, or other banking institution organized or operating under the laws of the United States, and any bank the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(2) “Savings and loan association” means any federal savings and loan association and any “insured institution” as defined in Section 401 of the National Housing Act, as amended, and any federal credit union as defined in Section 2 of the Federal Credit Union Act.
(3) “Credit union” means any federal credit union and any state-chartered credit union the accounts of which are insured by the Administrator of the National Credit Union administration.
(e) The provisions of this section shall not be amended by the Legislature except by statute passed in each house by rollcall vote entered in the journal, two-thirds of the membership concurring, or by a statute that becomes effective only when approved by the electors.