Criminal Defense

California Penal Code 529.5 PC makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly possess, sell, make, or transfer fake government-issued driver’s licenses or IDs that a reasonable person would presume are real. Depending on the case, the punishment includes fines and/or up to one year in jail. The text of the law reads: 529.5.  (a) Every person …

California Penal Code 16470 PC defines dirks and daggers as knives which can be used as stabbing weapons. It does not matter whether the dirk or dagger has a handguard or how long the blade is. The entire statute reads as follows: 16470.  As used in this part, “dirk” or “dagger” means a knife or …

California Penal Code § 243.6 PC makes it a misdemeanor to commit battery against school employees. If the victim suffers injuries, however, then battery on a school employee can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The full language of the code section reads as follows: 243.6.  When a battery is committed against a …

California Penal Code § 653x PC prohibits contacting 911 for the purpose of harassing someone else. As a misdemeanor, misusing 911 with the intent to harass carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines (plus any unnecessary emergency response costs). The full language of the statute reads as follows: 653x.  (a) A …

California Penal Code 555 PC is the statute that prohibits trespassing on posted property. This offense is a misdemeanor that carries up to six months in county jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute reads as follows: 555.  It is unlawful to enter or remain upon any posted property …

California Penal Code § 243.1 PC makes it a crime to commit battery on a jail or prison guard. Battery on a custodial officer is a felony carrying 16 months, two years, or three years in county jail. The full language of the statute reads as follows: 243.1. When a battery is committed against the …

California Penal Code 4530 PC prohibits state prison inmates from attempting to escape. Escape from prison is a felony offense carrying up to three or six more years behind bars depending on whether the defendant used force or violence. The full language of the code section states that: 4530.  (a) Every prisoner confined in a …

California Penal Code 214 PC defines the crime of train robbery, which is boarding a train – or otherwise interfering with the train – with the intention of robbing someone on the train. Train robbery is prosecuted as a felony in California. If you are convicted, you face 16 months, two years, or three years in …

California Penal Code 4570 PC makes it a crime to communicate with a jail or prison inmate without the permission of the warden or other officer in charge. As a misdemeanor, unlawfully communicating with an inmate carries up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines. The full text of the statute …

California Penal Code 653y PC imposes punishments for knowingly using 911 for non-emergency reasons. This offense is usually an infraction, but it can be charged as a misdemeanor if your intent was to harass someone. Legal Analysis California Penal Code 653y PC prohibits knowingly using 911 for any reason other than an emergency. Example: Betty …

California Penal Code § 4532 PC makes it a felony to escape from custody if you have been arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime. The penalties depend on the underlying crime you were in custody for and whether you used force or violence in the escape attempt. In this article, our California criminal defense …

California Penal Code § 18.5 PC specifies that the maximum misdemeanor jail sentence is 364 days. When a statute for a misdemeanor crime claims that the maximum penalty is one year, the most the defendant can be jailed for is 364 days – not 365 days. The full text of the statute reads as follows: …

California Business & Professions Code 7028 BP makes it a misdemeanor to contract without a valid contractor’s license. A first-time conviction is punishable by up to six months in jail and/or $5,000 in fines. And defendants are liable to their victims for any economic losses and restitution. The full text of the statute reads as …

California Penal Code § 17235 PC defines a switchblade as a knife that resembles a pocketknife with a blade of 2 inches or longer that releases automatically by a flick of a button, pressure on the handle, a flip of the wrist, weight of the blade, or any other mechanism. It is a misdemeanor to …

Penal Code § 12020 PC is a repealed California statute that made it a crime to possess, sell, import, or manufacture certain generally prohibited weapons such as short-barreled rifles, ballistic knives, metal knuckles, and nunchucks. Although PC 12020 has been repealed, its laws have been re-codified as PC sections 16000 through 34370.1 The full text of …

Business & Professions Code § 2052 BPC prohibits the practice of medicine without being properly licensed by the Medical Board of California. The unauthorized practice of medicine can be charged as a misdemeanor carrying up to 1 year in jail and/or $1,000 in fines. Or it can be charged as a felony carrying a jail sentence …

California Vehicle Code § 22352 CVC sets the default speeding limit as 15 mph on any alley or during the last 100 feet of approaching a railway crossing or intersection. This section also sets the default speeding limit at 25 mph on any road or while passing a school or senior center. But this law …