Vehicle Code § 21460 is the California statute that makes it a crime for a motorist to cross double yellow parallel lines on State roadways. Double parallel lines include: double parallel solid yellow or white lines, and double parallel lines, one of which is broken. A few exceptions do apply under the statute. In particular, …
California Penal Code 647(c) makes it illegal to accost people in public to solicit for donations. It is often referred to as a “panhandling” statute. This offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail. The language of 647(c) PC states that: “Every person who willfully and maliciously obstructs the free movement of any person on …
Penal Code 171.7 PC — Bringing a weapon into the sterile area of a public transit facilityWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 171.7 PC makes it a crime to bring firearms and other weapons into the sterile area of a public transit facility. A “sterile area” means “any portion of a public …
California Business and Professions Code § 725(b) makes it a crime to engage in repeated acts of excessively prescribing drugs. Doing so is a misdemeanor punishable by 60 to 180 days in jail and a fine of $100 to $600. 725(b) BPC states that: Any person who engages in repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing …
The 10-20-Life" Sentencing Enhancement Law for Gun Use in California — Who Can Go to Prison?Watch this video on YouTube California’s “10-20-life” law, outlined in Penal Code § 12022.53, provides harsh sentencing enhancements for using a gun during certain felonies. You can face an additional 10, 20, or 25 years to life in prison. The …
California child molestation laws make it a crime to engage in (or to attempt to engage in) sexual acts with a child under 18 years of age. Depending on the age of the minor and the nature of the sexual contact, the consequences can range from misdemeanor charges to felony charges with life in prison. State …
Business and Professions Code 12024.1 BPC is the California statute that makes it a crime to misrepresent a charge for a service. The offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000.00 plus court costs. The language of the statute reads that: 12024.1. Every person, by …
Health care fraud is a crime whereby physicians, medical facility staff or patients intentionally submit, or cause someone else to submit, false or fraudulent claims to governmental agencies or insurance companies. People may submit fraudulent claims to either a private medical insurance company or a government medical insurance program such as Medicare or Medicaid. Health …
California Vehicle Code 21651 (a) VC prohibits drivers from driving on, or crossing over, the dividing section on a divided California roadway. The section also restricts turns on divided roadways. There are four important points to know about this code section. A motorist that crosses a divided highway must pay a fine of $238.00. A …
Business & Professions Code § 25608 BP makes it a crime to bring alcohol into a public schoolhouse or onto the school grounds. Doing so is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1000.00. In this article, we will quote the full language of the code section …
Vehicle Code 21659 makes it unlawful for motorists in California to drive unsafely on the State’s three-lane highways. This essentially means a motorist can only drive in the center lane, or far left lane, of such highways in limited circumstances. There are five important points to know about this section: The most common time a motorist …
New "Wild West" of A.I. Crimes — California Politicians Are Scrambling to Create New LawsWatch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 653.2 PC makes it a crime to send electronic communications (such as emails or text messages) intending to place the recipients in reasonable fear for their safety or that of their immediate …
Under Vehicle Code 23152(c) VC, driving while addicted to drugs is a form of California DUI.1 However, VC 23152(c) penalties do not apply if you are participating in certain approved drug treatment programs.2 Vehicle Code 23152(c) VC reads: “(c) It is unlawful for a person who is addicted to the use of any drug to …
"Serna Motion" (to dismiss for lack of speedy trial)Watch this video on YouTube A Serna motion is a pretrial motion to dismiss criminal charges because you were denied the constitutional right to a speedy prosecution or a speedy trial. Serna motions also go by the term speedy trial motions. Here are four key things to …
Penal Code § 245.5 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime to assault a school employee with a deadly weapon, a firearm, or a stun gun or taser. This offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The maximum sentence is up to 8 years in state prison. The full text of the code section reads as follows: 245.5. (a) …
California Vehicle Code § 10501 VC makes it a criminal offense to file a false or fraudulent report of auto theft. A first-time violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and fines of up to $1000.00. The language of the code section states that: 10501. (a) It is unlawful for …
California’s red flag law allows employers, co-workers, teachers, and family members to seek a court order to remove firearms from a person whom they perceive as potentially dangerous. These are known as “gun violence restraining orders,” or (GVROs). They seek to temporarily remove firearms from the possession of a person considered a threat to others. When implementing these …
What is a "fraudulent conveyance" in California and is it illegal? — Penal Code 154 PCWatch this video on YouTube Penal Code 154 PC prohibits fraudulent conveyance. This is when a person unlawfully disposes of assets or property in order to avoid having to use that property to pay back a debt or satisfy a …
Busted for "Grand Theft of a Firearm"? (Penal Code 487d2)Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 487(d)(2) PC defines the felony crime of grand theft of a firearm (GTF) as stealing a gun when either the gun is valued at more than $950 or you have a prior conviction of a serious crime. …
California Business and Professions Code 25603 BPC makes it a crime to bring any alcoholic beverage into a penal institution. The section is charged when officers, visitors or inmates are caught with alcohol on jail or prison grounds. The offense is a felony punishable by up to 3 years in jail and a fine of up …
How does the "duress defense" work in criminal cases?Watch this video on YouTube The duress defense can get your California criminal charges dismissed if you committed the crime only because you or someone close to you was threatened with immediate death or serious bodily injury. When you are under duress – which is also called …
Possession of PCP (phencyclidine) in California is usually a misdemeanor that can be dismissed if you complete drug diversion. However, selling or transporting (“trafficking”) PCP is always a felony and carries years in jail or prison. California PCP crime Maximum jail/prison term (generally) Simple possession – 11377 HS 1 year (though you can usually avoid …
Business & Professions Code 7028: When is "contracting without a license" a crime?Watch this video on YouTube California Business and Professions Code 7028 makes it illegal to engage in contracting unless you have a current and valid contractor’s license. A first-time conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 6 months in jail and fines …
Penal Code § 248 PC is the California statute that makes it a crime to shine a light at an aircraft in order to interfere with its operation. A conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and fines of up to $1000.00. The language of the code section states …
The crime of "mayhem" (Penal Code 203 PC & 205 PC)Watch this video on YouTube California Penal Code § 203 PC prohibits mayhem, the act of unlawfully or maliciously attacking another person in a way that causes disfigurement or disability. A conviction is a felony punishable by up to 8 years in prison and fines …