529 PC – Is “False Impersonation” a crime in California?

California Penal Code 529 PC defines the crime of false impersonation (also called false personation) as using another person’s name or identity to cause harm to that person or to gain an improper benefit. Prosecutors can elect to bring the charge as either a misdemeanor or a felony. A conviction is punishable by up to 3 years in jail or prison.

Note that the crime is also sometimes referred to as “false personation.”

The language of 529 PC states that:

(a) Every person who falsely personates another in either his or her private or official capacity, and in that assumed character does any of the following, is punishable pursuant to subdivision (b):(1) Becomes bail or surety for any party in any proceeding whatever, before any court or officer authorized to take that bail or surety. (2) Verifies, publishes, acknowledges, or proves, in the name of another person, any written instrument, with intent that the same may be recorded, delivered, or used as true. (3) Does any other act whereby, if done by the person falsely personated, he might, in any event, become liable to any suit or prosecution, or to pay any sum of money, or to incur any charge, forfeiture, or penalty, or whereby any benefit might accrue to the party personating, or to any other person. (b) By a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

529 PC applies to the situation when a person:

• pretends to be someone else, and either
• commits an act that exposes the person to either civil or criminal liability, or
• does something that causes the other person to have to pay money, or
• gains some benefit from the impersonation.

Examples of False Impersonation

• giving an officer another’s name and that other person gets arrested for income tax evasion.
• opening a credit card in someone else’s name and buying clothes on it.
• using another person’s name to get into a country club and then playing golf for free.
• Using another bank account owner’s name to gain access to his savings account and withdraw money for a college savings plan.

Defenses

A defendant can defeat a charge under these laws with a legal defense. Common defenses include:

• no additional act,
• falsely accused, and/or
• no liability or benefits.

Penalties

A violation of this code section is a wobbler offense. A wobbler is a criminal offense that a prosecutor can charge as either:

• a misdemeanor, or
• a felony.

A misdemeanor conviction is punishable by imprisonment in county jail for up to one year.

A felony conviction is punishable by custody in jail for up to three years.

In lieu of jail time, a judge can award either:

• misdemeanor (or summary) probation, or
• felony (or formal) probation.

Our California criminal defense attorneys will highlight the following in this article:

• 1. Is it a crime to impersonate someone?
• 2. Are there legal defenses?
  • 2.1. No additional act
  • 2.2. Falsely accused
  • 2.3. No liability or benefits
• 3. What are the penalties for a 529 PC conviction?
• 4. Are there immigration consequences?
• 5. Can a person get a conviction expunged?
• 6. Does a conviction affect gun rights?
• 7. Are there related offenses?
  • 7.1. False identification to an officer – PC 148.9
  • 7.2. Theft by false pretenses – PC 532
  • 7.3. Identity theft – PC 530.5
• 8. Can you sue for false impersonation?

1. Is it a crime to impersonate someone?

A prosecutor must prove the following to convict a person under PC 529:

1. the defendant did falsely impersonate someone else in their public or private capacity, and
2. he performed an additional act that created:

• a. some kind of liability for that person, or
• b. some benefit for the accused.¹

Note that this additional act must be something more than the accused:

• identifying himself as another person, or
• presenting evidence that claims to show he is someone else.²

According to Penal Code 529, this requirement is met if the defendant:

1. serves as bail or surety before a court in someone else’s name,
2. verifies, publishes, or proves a written instrument in another’s name,
3. commits an act that exposes the other person to civil or criminal liability, or
4. does something that gives the accused a benefit.³

Example: Patrick is arrested for stealing a car. At booking, he gives the police officer the name of his brother, John. He also signs John’s name on the booking and release forms. Patrick is released on his own recognizance and fails to appear at his next scheduled hearing. A law enforcement officer then arrests John on charges of grand theft auto, per Penal Code 487d1 PC.

Here, Patrick is guilty of false impersonation by giving the identity of another person. He committed an “additional act” when he signed his brother’s name on the booking and release forms.

Note that this example is based on the facts of a real California court case.⁴

2. Are there legal defenses?

A defendant can use a legal defense to challenge a false impersonation criminal charge and raise a reasonable doubt.

Three successful defenses often include:

1. no additional act,
2. falsely accused, and/or
3. no liability or benefits.

2.1. No additional act

Recall that a person is only guilty under this statute if he:

• took some additional act,
• beyond falsely identifying himself.

This means it is a legal defense for an accused to say he did not commit this “other” act.

Note that the following do not count as additional acts:

• giving a false middle name to go with a false identity⁵, and
• showing the driver’s license or ID of the person being impersonated.⁶

2.2. Falsely accused

It is not unusual for:

• a person to falsely accuse someone of false impersonation,
• in the attempt to cover up his own guilt.

It is a defense, therefore, for the defendant to say he was unjustly blamed.

2.3. No liability or benefits

Recall that a person is only guilty under these laws if:

1. he took an additional act, and
2. that act created a liability or a benefit.

This means it is a defense for an accused to say that his acts did not create either of these. Perhaps, for example, he gave someone a false name and nothing further happened.

Note that defense lawyers and the district attorney can usually come to an agreement without resorting to trial.

3. What are the penalties for a 529 PC conviction?

A violation of Penal Code 529 is a wobbler offense. A wobbler is a crime that a prosecutor can charge as either:

• a misdemeanor, or
• a felony.

If charged as a misdemeanor, impersonating is punishable by:

• misdemeanor (or summary) probation,
• custody in county jail for up to one year, and/or
• a maximum fine of $10,000.⁷

If charged as a felony, the offense is punishable by:

• felony (or formal) probation,
• imprisonment in county jail for up to three years, and/or
• a maximum fine of $10,000.⁸

4. Are there immigration consequences?

A conviction of false personation will likely not have immigration consequences.

Some crimes in California can result in a non-citizen being either:

• deported, or
• marked as inadmissible.

An example is an aggravated felony.

Most crimes under this statute, though, will not produce this result.

5. Can a person get a conviction expunged?

A person can get an expungement of a false personation conviction.

Note that for this to happen though, the defendant must complete his:

• probation, or
• jail term (whichever one was imposed).

6. Does a conviction affect gun rights?

A conviction under this statute may negate a defendant’s gun rights.

California law says that it is illegal for convicted felons to:

• own a gun, or
• possess a gun.

Remember that a prosecutor may charge this crime as either a:

• misdemeanor, or a
• felony.

If charged as a felony then:

• and the defendant is convicted,
• then he would lose his California gun rights.

7. Are there related offenses?

There are three crimes related to false impersonation charges. These are:

1. false identification to an officer – PC 148.9,
2. theft by false pretenses – PC 532, and
3. identity theft – PC 530.5.

7.1. False identification to an officer – PC 148.9

Penal Code 148.9 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime for a person to:

• knowingly provide false identification,
• to a peace officer.

This statute only applies to giving information to a police officer. Penal Code 529 applies to giving another person’s name to:

• police, and
• non-police officers alike.

7.2. Theft by false pretenses – PC 532

Penal Code 532 PC is the California statute that defines the crime of “theft by false pretenses.”

Theft by false pretenses is the act of an accused:

• convincing someone to voluntarily give him his or her property,
• by telling them something that isn’t true or making a promise that he won’t keep.

Like many cases of false personation, this crime involves a defendant getting an undue benefit.

7.3. Identity theft – PC 530.5

Penal Code 530.5 PC is the California statute that defines the crime of identity theft.

A person commits this offense when he:

1. takes someone’s personal identifying information, and
2. uses it in any unlawful or fraudulent manner.

Unlike PC 529, a prosecutor must prove fraud to convict such person of this offense.

8. Can you sue for false impersonation?

Yes. Victims of false impersonation can recover money damages from:

[a]ny person who knowingly uses another’s name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness, in any manner, on or in products, merchandise, or goods, or for purposes of advertising or selling, or soliciting purchases of, products, merchandise, goods or services, without such person’s prior consent, or, in the case of a minor, the prior consent of his parent or legal guardian[.]

Victims should be able to recover the greater of:

• $750, or
• the victim’s actual damages

Plus, victims should be able to recover any profits from the unauthorized use as well as attorney’s fees and costs. Finally, the judge may award punitive damages.⁹

For additional help…

Arrested for a crime under California state or federal law? For additional guidance or to discuss your case with a criminal defense attorney, we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. Our law firm has offices throughout the state, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Glendale, Torrance, Newport Beach, Orange County, San Francisco, San Diego, and more. Disclaimer: Results cannot be guaranteed.

For information on false impersonation in Nevada and Colorado, please see our articles on:

• “NRS 205.450 – Nevada False Impersonation Laws and NRS 199.430 Impersonation of a Public Officer” and
• “CRS 18-5-113 – Criminal Impersonation in Colorado.”

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