Comprehensive Guide to California Criminal Laws A-to-Z
At Kersey Law, we fight relentlessly for justice—1000+ clients defended with unwavering commitment. No shortcuts, just powerful representation. Free consultation. Contact us today.
If your defense strategy isn’t securing your future, it’s probably jeopardizing it.
A
- Abandoning an Appliance Without Removing its Door
- Abducting a Minor for Prostitution
- Abortion laws in California
- Accessory After the Fact
- Accessory Before the Fact
- Accessory to Murder
- Administering Drugs to Commit Felony
- Aggravated Arson
- Aggravated Assault
- Aggravated Kidnapping
- Aggravated Mayhem
- Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
- Aggravated Trespass
- Aggravated Felony Trespass
- Aiding & Abetting
- Aiding a Suicide
- Air Gauge Knives
- Air Pollution Crimes
- Alcoholic Beverages at a Public Education Facility
- Alcohol Sales After Permitted Hours
- Altering a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Ammunition Possession by a Person Prohibited
- Animal Abuse
- Annoying or Molesting a Child under 18
- Annoying Phone Calls
- Appropriation or Theft of Lost Property
- Arbuckle Waiver
- Armor-Piercing Ammunition
- Arson
- Asbestos Work Without Certification
- Assault
- Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury
- Assault on a Police Officer
- Assault on a School Employee
- Assault with Caustic Chemicals
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Assault with a Firearm
- Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony
- Assault with a Stun Gun
- Attack Dogs (Owning)
- Attempted Crimes
- Attempted Murder
- Attempted Vehicular Manslaughter
- Auto Burglary
- Auto Theft with a Prior
- Automotive Property Theft for Resale
B
- Bad Checks
- Ballistic Knives
- Baton (Possession of)
- Battery
- Battery on a Custodial Officer
- Battery on a Peace Officer
- Battery on a School Employee
- Battery with Serious Bodily Injury
- Belt Buckle Knives (Possession of)
- Blackmail
- Boating Under the Influence
- Bookmaking/Pool-Selling/Wagering
- Brandishing an Imitation Firearm
- Brandishing a Weapon or Firearm
- Brass Knuckles
- Breaking and Entering
- Bribery
- Bribery of Legislators or Elected Officials
- Bribery by Legislators or Elected Officials
- Bribery of County Supervisors or Public Corporations
- Bribery of Executive Officers or Public Employees
- Bribery by Executive Officers or Public Employees
- Bribery of Judges or Jurors
- Bribes Taken by Judges or Jurors
- Bribery of Witnesses
- Bribery – Witness Taking a Bribe
- Commercial Bribery
- Bringing Alcohol into a Jail or Prison
- Bringing Contraband into a Jail or Prison
- Bringing Drugs into a Jail or Prison
- Bullets Containing an Explosive Agent
- Bump Stocks
- Burglary
- Burglary Tools
- Burglary of a Safe or Vault / Burglary with Explosives
- Buying or Possessing Vehicles with Altered VIN Numbers
C
- California Invasion of Privacy Act
- Cane Swords
- Car Seat Law in California
- Carjacking
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm
- Castle Doctrine
- CDCR Form 115 Discipline
- Certificate of Rehabilitation
- Changing a Gun’s Identifying Information
- Child Abduction / Child Stealing
- Child Abuse
- Child Endangerment
- Child Molestation
- Child Neglect (Failure to Provide Care)
- Child Pornography
- Child Human Trafficking
- Chop Shop (Operating or Owning)
- Citizen’s Arrests
- Civil Compromise
- CLETS
- Cockfighting
- Commercial Vehicle Failure to Comply with CHP Rules
- Communication with an Inmate
- Compounding a Crime
- Concealing an Accidental Death
- Concealing Drugs in a False Compartment
- Conspiracy
- Conspiracy to Commit Murder
- Contacting a Minor to Commit a Felony
- Contempt of Court
- Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
- Contracting Without a License
- Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
- Corporal Injury
- Counterfeit ID Cards
- Counterfeit Items – Possession of
- Counterfeit Money (Possession of)
- Counterfeit Prescription Blanks
- Counterfeiting Credit Cards
- Creating or Maintaining a Public Nuisance
- Credit Card Theft
- Criminal Negligence
- Criminal Profiteering
- Criminal Storage of a Firearm
- Criminal Threats
- Cruz Waiver
- Cyberstalking
- Cycling Under the Influence
D
- Damaging Communication Device With Intent to Prevent Help
- Damaging Jail or Prison Property
- Damaging Phone, Electrical or Utility Lines
- Damaging Railroad Tracks
- Deceptive Identification Documents
- Defacing a Tear Gas Weapon
- Deferred Entry of Judgment
- Defrauding an Innkeeper
- Deprivation of Child Custody or Right to Visitation
- Destroy Arrest Records
- Destructive Devices
- Destroying or Concealing Evidence
- Difference Between Attorney and Lawyer
- Dirk and dagger
- Dirk or dagger – conceal carry
- Disability Placard Forgery
- Disability Placard Misuse
- Disobeying a Police Officer
- Disobeying Traffic Signs and Signals
- Disorderly Conduct
- Dissuading a Witness or Victim
- Disturbing a Meeting
- Disturbing a Religious Meeting
- Disturbing the Peace
- Disturbing the Peace at Schools
- DMV Investigations
- Dogfighting
- Domestic Violence
- Battery on a spouse/mate – PC 243(e)(1)
- Child Endangerment – PC 273(a)
- Corporal Injury on a Child – PC 273d
- Corporal Injury on a Spouse/Mate – PC 273.5
- Drinking Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle
- (Drive-by) Shooting from a Motor Vehicle
- Driving on a Suspended License
- Driving on a Suspended License After a DUI
- Driving on a Suspended License Because of Chemical Test Refusal
- Driving on a Suspended License Causing Injury
- Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road
- Driving Too Slowly, Not on the Right
- Driving Without a License
- Drug Crimes
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Codeine
- Doctor Shopping
- DUI of Drugs
- Ecstasy
- GHB
- Heroin
- Hydrocodone
- Ketamine
- Manufacturing Drugs / Narcotics / Controlled Substances
- Methamphetamine (Possession)
- Methamphetamine (Possession for Sale)
- Methamphetamine (Sale or Transportation)
- Meth Labs
- Paraphernalia
- PCP
- Possession
- Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed
- Possession of Drugs Without a Prescription
- Possession for Sales
- Prescribing a Controlled Substance Without Treatment
- Sales/Transportation
- Sales of Imitation Controlled Substances
- Sales of Synthetic Drugs
- Under the Influence of Drugs
- Vicodin
- Drug Diversion (Penal Code 1000)
- Drunk in Public / Public Intoxication
- DUI
- First Time DUI
- Second Time DUI
- Third Time DUI
- Driving While Addicted to a Drug
- Underage DUI with a BAC of 0.05 or Above
- Underage DUI (Zero Tolerance Law)
- DUI by Ride-Sharing Driver
- DUI of Drugs
- Duplication of Key to State Building
E
- Eavesdropping
- Elder Abuse
- Embezzlement
- Embezzlement by a Public Officer
- Employment Law A to Z
- Employment of minor in sale or distribution of obscene matter or production of pornography
- Escape from Custody
- Escape from State Prison
- Evading a Peace Officer
- Evading an Officer Causing Injury or Death
- Felony Reckless Evading
- Evading by Driving in Opposite Direction of Traffic
- Evidence Planting or Tampering
- Excessive Prescribing of Drugs
- Explosives (Making, Possessing or Transporting)
- Expungements
- Benefits of an Expungement
- DUI Expungements
- Early Termination of Probation
- Governor’s Pardons
- Reduce a Felony to a Misdemeanor
- Seal Juvenile Records
- Destroy Arrest Records
- Certificates of Rehabilitation
- Expungement of Infractions and Non-probation Misdemeanors
- Extortion
- Extortion by a Fake Court Order
- Extortion by Posing as a Kidnapper
- Extortion by Threatening Letter
- Extortion of a Signature
F
- Failing to Control a Dangerous Animal
- Failure to Appear in Court
- Failure to Appear after Written Promise to Appear
- Failure to Appear on an Infraction
- Failure to Appear on a Traffic Ticket (Vehicle Code 40508)
- Failure to Disperse at a Public Disturbance
- Failure to Disperse at a Riot
- Failure to Present a Driver’s License
- Failure to Register as a Sex Offender
- Failure to Report by a Pawnbroker
- Failure to Stop and Submit to Inspection
- Failure to Supervise a Child’s School Attendance
- Fake Court Orders
- Fake Government-issued IDs – possessing, making, selling
- Fake IDs
- Fake ID (Possession by a Minor)
- False Advertising
- False Imprisonment
- False Imprisonment (Penalties)
- False Imprisonment of a Hostage to Avoid Arrest
- False Information to a Peace Officer
- False Personation
- False Pretenses
- False Pricing of a Commodity
- False Reports of Vehicle Theft
- False Representation of Identity to a Police Officer
- False Statements to the DMV or CHP
- False Statements to Obtain a Drug
- Falsely Reporting a Crime or Criminal Matter
- Falsely Reporting a Fire (or Triggering a False Fire Alarm)
- Falsely Reporting an Emergency
- Faretta Motion and Hearing
- Federal Crimes
- Felon with a Firearm
- Felony Speeding
- Firearm Offenses
- 10-20-Life
- Assault Weapons
- Assault Weapon Possession
- BB Gun Laws
- Brandishing a Weapon or Firearm
- Brandishing and Causing Serious Bodily Injury
- California’s Gun-Free School Zone Act
- Cane Guns
- Carrying a Loaded Firearm
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
- Felon with a Firearm
- Gun Storage Laws
- How to Get a CCW Permit
- Imitation Firearms
- Large Capacity Magazines
- Manufacture, Sale or Possession of Dangerous Weapons
- Moving to California with Guns
- Open Carry Laws
- Possession by Juvenile Ward
- Possession of a .50 BMG Rifle
- Possession of Firearm in Violation of Court Order
- Relinquishment of Firearms by Convicted Persons
- Personal Use of a Firearm – Sentencing Enhancement
- Short-Barreled Rifles & Shotguns
- Transferring Firearms Between Family Members in California
- Unlicensed Sale of Firearms in California
- Fireworks Laws
- Forcible Acts of Sexual Penetration with a Foreign Object
- Forgery
- Forging Credit Card Information
- Forging or Altering a Prescription
- Forging a Prescription for a Narcotic Drug
- Franklin Hearing
- Fraud
- Asset Forfeiture
- Auto Insurance Fraud
- Auto Insurance Fraud – False Claim of Damage or Theft
- Check Fraud
- Contractor’s License Fraud
- Credit Card Fraud
- Elder Abuse
- False Impersonation
- Fraudulent Conveyance
- Fraudulent Conveyance by a Judgment Debtor
- Fraudulent Conveyance (Participating in)
- Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card
- Fraudulent Vehicle Registration Stickers
- Gambling Fraud
- Health Care Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Internet Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Medi-Cal Fraud
- Phantom Help
- Prescription Fraud
- Real Estate & Mortgage Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Senior Fraud
- Telemarketing Fraud
- Unemployment Insurance Fraud (UIC 2101)
- Welfare Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Workers Compensation Fraud
- Furnishing Dangerous Fireworks to Minors
- Furnishing or Selling Alcohol to Minors
G
- Gaming
- Gang Enhancements
- Good Samaritan Law
- Grand Theft
- Grand Theft Auto
- Grand Theft Auto Definition
- Grand Theft of a Firearm
- Grand Theft Person
- Great Bodily Injury
- Gross Vehicular Manslaughter
H
- Habitual Sexual Offenders
- Habitual Traffic Offenders
- Handicapped Placard Misuse
- Hate Crimes
- Hazing
- Hit & Run
- Misdemeanor Hit & Run (Property Damage)
- Felony Hit & Run (Injuries to others)
- Homicide Laws
- Human Trafficking
I
- Ignition Interlock Device Violations
- Immigration Laws A to Z
- Imperfect self-defense (Flannel)
- Impersonating a Peace Officer
- Incest
- Inciting a Riot
- Indecent Exposure
- Intentional Transmission of HIV or AIDS
- Interfering with a Traffic Control Device
- Internal Affairs Investigation
- Internet Copyright Infringement
- Invasion of Privacy
- Involuntary Manslaughter
J
- Jaywalking
- Juvenile Crimes
K
- Keeping a Brothel
- Kidnapping
- Kidnapping a Child Under 14
- Kidnapping During the Commission of a Carjacking
- Kidnapping for Ransom or to Commit Another Crime
- Knife Laws
L
- Lane Straddling
- Large Capacity Magazines
- Laser Scope (Aiming or Pointing)
- Leaving an Animal Unattended in a Vehicle
- Lewd Acts by a Caretaker on a Dependent Person
- Lewd Acts with a Minor
- Arranging a Meeting with a Minor for Lewd Purposes
- Lewd Acts with a Minor Inflicting Bodily Harm
- Lewd Acts with a Child – Force or Fear
- Lewd Conduct in Public
- Lewdness or Intoxication in the Presence of a Child
- Lipstick Case Knives
- Loitering
- Loitering at a School
- Loitering with Intent to Commit Prostitution
- Loitering to Solicit the Purchase of Alcohol
- Looting
- Lying in wait (murder)
M
- Mail Theft
- Maintaining a Public Nuisance After Abatement Notice
- Malicious Mischief to a Vehicle
- Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Child Neglect
- Manufacture or Sale of Counterfeit Marks
- Mayhem
- Marijuana
- Concentrated Cannabis
- Cultivation
- DUI Marijuana in California
- Marijuana on School Grounds
- Medical Marijuana
- Medical Marijuana Card
- Possession
- Possession for Sale
- Possession While Driving
- Primary Caregivers
- Sale
- Selling or Giving Marijuana to a Minor
- Mental Health Diversion
- Methamphetamine Laws
- Military Diversion
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol
- Misappropriation of Public Funds
- Misdemeanor Manslaughter
- Misdemeanor Penalties
- Mislabeling of Food
- Misrepresentation of Charges
- Misusing 911
- Misusing 911 with harass
- Money Laundering
- Money Laundering in Drug Cases
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
- DUI Murder
- Involuntary Manslaughter
- Voluntary Manslaughter
N
- Negligent Discharge of a Firearm
- Negligent Homicide
- Negligent Homicide Sentence
- Nursing Home Abuse
O
- Obstructing a Public Business Establishment
- Obstruction of Justice
- Offering False Evidence
- Open Container Laws
- Operating a Drug House
- Oral Copulation by Force or Fear
- Oral Copulation of a Minor
- Organized Retail Theft
- Overweight Vehicles
P
- Pandering
- Panhandling
- Pardons (by the Governor)
- Pedestrians Outside Crosswalks
- Peeking while Loitering / Unlawful Peeking
- “Peeping Tom” Laws
- Perjury
- Permitting a Minor in a Place Where Alcohol is Consumed
- Personal Injury
- Pet Insurance Fraud
- Petit Treason Abolished
- Petitions for Resentencing SC 1437
- Petty Theft
- Petty Theft Defined
- Petty Theft with a Prior
- Picketing Outside a Courthouse
- Pimping
- Pointing a Laser at an Aircraft
- Poisoning Animals
- Poisoning Food, Medicine or Water
- Police Officers Issuing False Reports
- Polygraph Law
- Possession of Explosives With Intent to Injure
- Possession of Alcohol in a Vehicle by a Person under 21
- Possession of Controlled Substances in Prison or Jail
- Possession of a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Assault
- Possession of Destructive Device Materials
- Possession of Destructive Device with Malicious or Reckless Intent
- Possession of Materials for Manufacturing Controlled Substances
- Possession of a Weapon at an Airport
- Possession of / Under the Influence of Nitrous Oxide
- Prefile Investigations
- Posting Harmful Information on the Internet
- Preparing False Evidence
- Prescribing Controlled Substances to an Addict
- Presence During Unlawful Controlled Substance Use
- Preventive Detention Hearings
- Price Gouging
- Probation
- Probation Violation Hearings
- Production, Distribution, or Exhibition of Obscene Matter
- Property Crime Enhancements
- Prostitution
- Providing Alcohol to Minor with Vehicle Accident
- Prowling
- Publishing Credit Card, Access Card
Q
- Quarantine Orders (Violation of)
- Queen for a Day
R
- Rape
- Oral Copulation by Force
- Rape in Concert (Gang Rape)
- Sexual Battery
- Spousal Rape
- Statutory Rape
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Receiving Stolen Vehicle
- Reckless Burning
- Reckless Driving
- Reckless Driving Causing Injury
- Reckless Driving Causing Specific Serious Injury
- Red Flag Law
- Relinquishing a Motor Vehicle to a Minor
- Rescuing a Prisoner
- Resisting an Executive Officer (PC 69)
- Resisting Arrest
- Restricted License Violations
- Retailer Credit Card Fraud
- Road Rage
- Revenge Porn/Nonconsensual Pornography
- Right-Hand Lane Violations
- Robbery
- Romeo and Juliet Law in California
- Rioting
S
- Second-Degree Murder
- Selling a False Quantity
- Service Dog Fraud
- Sex with an Inmate
- Sexting Laws
- Sexual Acts with a Child Under 10
- Sexual Battery
- Sex Offender Residency Restrictions
- Shining Light at Aircraft to Interfere with Operations
- Shobi-Zue Knives
- Shooting at an Inhabited Dwelling or Occupied Car
- Shooting at an Unoccupied Aircraft
- Shooting at an Unoccupied Vehicle, Building or Dwelling
- Shoplifting
- Shurikens
- Sightseeing at the Scene of an Emergency
- Silencer (Possession of)
- Sodomy
- Solicitation for Prostitution
- Solicitation of a Minor
- Soliciting Laws in California
- Soliciting the Sale of Alcohol
- Soliciting Someone to Commit a Crime
- Speeding more than 55 mph on 2 lane undivided highways
- Squatting
- Stalking
- Statutory Rape
- STD Laws
- Street Racing
- Stun Gun Laws
- Supervising or Aiding a Prostitute
- Switchblades
- Switchblade Defintion
- Synthetic Cannabis
- Synthetic Stimulants
T
- Taking an Officer’s Firearm
- Tampering with a Motor Vehicle
- Tampering with the Vehicle of a Disabled Person
- Tattooing a Minor
- Tear Gas (Unlawful Use of)
- Theft
- Grand Theft
- Petty Theft
- Petty Theft with a Prior
- Threatening Public Officials
- Threatening Public Officers/Employees and School Officers/Employees
- Three Strikes Law
- Throwing Objects at a Motor Vehicle
- Torture
- Trade Secret Theft
- Train Robbery
- Train Wrecking
- Transportation of a Controlled Substance
- Treason
- Trespassing
- Trespassing on Posted Property
- Truancy Laws
U
- Unauthorized Access to a Computer
- Unauthorized Entry into a Closed Emergency Area
- Unauthorized Practice of Law
- Unauthorized Practice of Medicine
- Unlawful Assembly
- Unlawful Bringing of Firearms in Jail/Prison
- Unlawful Deprivation of a Retail Business Opportunity
- Unlawful Entry of a Vehicle
- Unlawful Referral to an Auto Repair Dealer
- Unlawful Tethering of a Dog
- Unlawful Taking of a Bike or Vessel
- Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle
- Unlawful Use of a Drivers License
V
- Vandalism
- Vandalism of a place of worship
- Vehicle Identification Numbers (Altering, Changing or Destroying)
- Vehicle Identification Number (Illegal Possession or Sale of)
- Vehicle Registration Fraud
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated
- Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated
- Veterans Court
- Veterans With PTSD (criminal defense of)
- Violating a Restraining Order
- Violent Offenses
- Voluntary Manslaughter
W
- Wallet Guns
- Warrants
- Waste Dumping
- Weapons in Penal Institution
- Weapons in Public Buildings and Meetings
- Weapons in Public Transit Facilities
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Weapons on School Grounds
- Wearing a Mask or Disguise to Evade Police
- White Collar Crimes Sentencing Enhancement
- Willful Exposure to Infectious Disease
- Window Tinting
- Wiretapping
- Workplace Harassment
- Writing Pen Knives
- Writ of Coram Nobis
X
Y
Z
Let Us Help You Get Started
Explore the tools you need for your defense with Kersey Law. Browse our resource center, watch educational videos, and learn from client success stories.
Explore
Stay up-to-date with the latest in criminal defense with our informative blog. Read expert insights, case updates, and more to stay informed and ahead of the game.
Learn
Stay informed with our Criminal Defense Resource Center, covering a wide range of topics from assault and battery to DUI. Access helpful guides, articles, and more to protect your rights.
Featured Blog
Diddy Denied Bail for the Third Time: What It Means and Why
Shawn “Puffy” Combs, widely known as Diddy, has been denied bail for the third time. This decision means he will remain in custody pending trial.
Schedule Your FREE Strategy Session Today
In just 1 hour, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan to turn your defense into an unstoppable force that can give you the most favorable outcome for your case (no obligation to move forward!).
