California Criminal Law Library
California State Crimes
Find out more about the crime you are being charged with from our extensive legal library. Each article explains the definition of the charge, potential penalties and how to defend oneself against these charges. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 310‑274‑6529 if you have any additional questions.
Federal level: United States Federal Crimes.
Jump to a category:
- Theft / Fraud Crimes
- Domestic Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Drug Crimes
- Sex Crimes
- Weapon Crimes
- Traffic Crimes
- DUI Crimes
- White Collar Crimes
- Other Crimes / Services
- Federal Crimes
Or scroll down the entire list:
Theft / Fraud Crimes
- PC 211 – Robbery
- PC 459 – Burglary
- PC 466 – Possession of Burglary Tools
- PC 487 – Grand Theft
- PC 484 – Petty Theft & Shoplifting
- PC 666 – Petty Theft with a Prior
- PC 532 – Theft by False Pretenses
- PC 530.5e – Mail Theft
- PC 476(a) – Bad Checks
- PC 215 – Carjacking
- VC 10803 – Buying or Possessing a Vehicle with Tampered VIN
- PC 496 – Receiving Stolen Property
Domestic Crimes
- PC 243(e)(1) – Domestic Battery
- PC 273.5 – Corporal Injury to Spouse
- PC 368 – Elder Abuse
- PC 273.6 – Violation of Restraining Order
Drug Crimes
- HSC 11350 – Possession of a Controlled Substance
- HSC 11351 – Drug Possession for Sale
- HSC 11352 – Transporting Controlled Substances
- HSC 11377, 11378, 11379 – Possession, Sale of Methamphetamines
- HSC 11370.6 – Possession of Over $100,000 Relating to Drug Sales
- VC 23222(b) – Driving with Marijuana
- HSC 11359 – Possession of Marijuana With the Intent to Sell
- HSC 11358 – Cultivation of Marijuana
- HSC 11361 – Selling or Gifting Marijuana to a Minor
- BPC 4324(b) – Prescription Fraud
- HSC 11370.1 – Possession of a Controlled Substance & Armed
- HSC 11370.9 – Money Laundering with Proceeds of Drug Crimes
- Drug Diversion
Violent Crimes
- PC 187 – Murder
- PC 664 – Attempted Murder
- PC 192 – Manslaughter
- PC 192(c) – Vehicular Manslaughter
- PC 206 – Torture
- PC 207 – Kidnapping
- PC 203, 205 – Mayhem
- PC 240, 242 – Assault and Battery
- PC 243(b), 243(c) – Battery on a Police Officer
- PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- PC 451, 452 – Arson
Sex Crimes
- PC 243.4 – Sexual Assault; Sexual Battery
- PC 647(a) – Lewd Conduct in Public
- PC 314 – Indecent Exposure
- PC 261 – Rape
- PC 261.5 – Statutory Rape
- PC 261(a)(3) – Rape of an Intoxicated Woman
- PC 289 – Forcible Penetration (by a Foreign Object)
- PC 647(b) – Prostitution and Solicitation for Prostitution
- PC 653.22 – Loitering for Prostitution
- PC 647(J)(4) – California “Revenge Porn” Law
- PC 286 – Sodomy
- PC 288 – Lewd Acts with a Minor
- PC 288.5 – Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14
- PC 288.7- Sex with a Child Under 10
- PC 288(a) – Child Molestation
- PC 311.11(a) – Possession of Child Pornography
- PC 311.2(b) – Distribution of Child Pornography
- PC 290 – Failure to Register as Sex Offender
Weapon Crimes
- PC 417 – Brandishing a Weapon
- PC 12020 – Dangerous Weapons
- PC 22210 – Possession of a Baton
- PC 25850 – Carrying a Loaded Firearm
- PC 25400 – Carrying a Concealed Firearm
- PC 12021 – Felon with a Firearm
- PC 12022.53 – 10-20-Life Gun Laws
- PC 12022 – Guide to Firearm Sentencing Enhancements
Traffic Crimes
- VC 14601 – Driving On A Suspended Or Revoked License
- VC 23103 & 23104 – Reckless Driving
- VC 20001-20002 – Hit & Run in California
- VC 10851(a) – Joyriding
- VC 23152(f) – Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana
- VC 2800.2 – Felony Reckless Evasion in California
- VC 2800.3 – Felony Evasion Causing Injury, Death
- VC 4461 – Illegal Disability Placards
- VC 4463 – Fraudulent Vehicle Registration, Tags
- VC 10852 – Tampering with A Vehicle
- VC 12951 – Failing to Present a Driver’s License
- VC 13004.1 – Manufacturing Counterfeit Identification Cards
- VC 20 – Providing False Statements to the DMV or CHP
- VC 35551 – Failing to Control Weight of Commercial Vehicle
- VC 42002.1 – Failure to Stop and Submit for Inspection
DUI Crimes
- DMV DUI Hearing in California
- Field Sobriety Tests
- VC 13004 – Unlawful Use Of an ID Card
- VC 23103.5 – Wet Reckless
- VC 23136-DUI under 21
- VC 23152 – California DUI Types
- VC 23152 – California DUI Types
- VC 23152 – Out-of-State DUI
- VC 23152(a) – California DUI
- VC 23152(b) – Driving with BAC of 0.08% +
- VC 23152(d) – DUI for Commercial Driver’s
- VC 23153 – DUI with Bodily Injury
- VC 23222(a) – Open Container in a Moving Vehicle
- VC 23572 – DUI With a Minor Onboard
- VC 23582 – California DUI, Excessive Speed Enhancement
White Collar Crimes
- PC 470(b) – Fake ID, Driver’s License
- PC 115 – Filing A False Document; Forgery
- PC 484 – Credit Card Fraud
- PC 550(a) – Healthcare Fraud in California
- PC 549 & 550 – Workers’ Comp Fraud
- PC 550 – Unemployment Insurance Fraud in California
- Securities Fraud
- California State Tax Evasion
- PC 186.10 – Money Laundering
- PC 518-527 – Extortion; aka Blackmail
- PC 503 – California Embezzlement
- PC 499(c) – Theft Of Trade Secrets
- PC 502(c) – Unauthorized Computer Access & Fraud
Other Crimes / Services
- BPC 17511.9(a) – Telemarketing Fraud
- BPC 17529.5(a) – Unsolicited Email
- BPC 2052- Practicing Medicine Without a License
- BPC 21628 – Failure to Report by Pawnbroker
- BPC 21672(a) – Counterfeit Sports Trading Cards
- BPC 22430(a) – Deceptive Identification Documents
- BPC 25603 – Bringing Intoxicants into a Penal Institution
- BPC 25608 – Bringing Alcoholic Beverages into a Public Educational Facility
- BPC 25631 – Selling Alcohol between 2am and 6am
- BPC 25657 – Soliciting the Sale of Alcohol
- BPC 4324(b) – Prescription Fraud
- BPC 6126(b) – Practicing Law by an Inactive Member of the State Bar
- BPC 725(b) – Excessive Prescribing of Drugs
- California State Tax Evasion
- Drug Diversion
- HSC 11153 – Prescription Fraud
- HSC 11154(a) – Prescribing a Controlled Substance without Treatment
- HSC 11156 – Administering a Controlled Substance to an Addict
- HSC 11162.5 – Counterfeiting Prescription Blanks
- HSC 11173 – ‘Doctor Shopping’ Prescription Fraud
- HSC 11350 – Possession of a Controlled Substance
- HSC 11351 – Drug Possession for Sale
- HSC 11352 – Transporting Controlled Substances
- HSC 11355 – Sale of Substitute Substance
- HSC 11357 – Possession of Marijuana
- HSC 11357.5 – Selling of Synthetic Marijuana
- HSC 11358 – Cultivation of Marijuana
- HSC 11359 – Possession of Marijuana With the Intent to Sell
- HSC 11360 – Selling Marijuana
- HSC 11361 – Selling or Gifting Marijuana to a Minor
- HSC 11364 – Possessing Drug Paraphernalia
- HSC 11366 – Maintaining a Facility or Open Space for Drug Activity
- HSC 11366.8 – Usage or Creation of False Compartments to Conceal Drugs
- HSC 11368 – Forging a Prescription For a Narcotic
- HSC 11370.1 – Possession of a Controlled Substance & Armed
- HSC 11370.6 – Possession of Over $100,000 Relating to Drug Sales
- HSC 11370.9 – Money Laundering with Proceeds of Drug Crimes
- HSC 11377, 11378, 11379 – Possession, Sale of Meth
- HSC 11379.6 – Manufacturing a Controlled Substance
- HSC 11383 – Possessing Materials or Ingredients Used to Make PCP
- HSC 11383.5 – Possessing Materials/Ingredients Used to Make Meth
- HSC 120291 – Intentionally Exposing Others To The HIV Virus Through Sexual Activity
- HSC 12085 – Making, Possessing or Transporting Explosives
- HSC 122335 – Unlawful Tethering of a Dog
- HSC 1621.5(a) – Donating to Medical Facilities with Acknowledgement of AIDS
- HSC 1799.102 – California’s Good Samaritan Law
- Loitering at School
- Military Diversion: A Better Way Forward For Veterans
- PC 311.2(b) – Distribution of Child Pornography
- PC 1018 – Plea Withdrawal
- PC 115 – Filing A False Document; Forgery
- PC 118 – Perjury
- PC 12022 – Guide to Firearm Sentencing Enhancements
- PC 12022.53 – 10-20-Life Gun Laws
- PC 1320, VC 40508 – Failure to Appear
- PC 135 – Destroying or Concealing Evidence
- PC 148(a) – Resisting Arrest
- PC 16590 – Dangerous Weapons
- PC 166 – Violating A Court Order
- PC 182(a) – Conspiracy
- PC 185 – Wearing a Mask or Disguise to Evade Police
- PC 186.10 – Money Laundering
- PC 187 – Murder
- PC 18720 – Possessing Destructive Device Materials
- PC 191.5(a) – Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated
- PC 192 – Manslaughter
- PC 192(c) – Vehicular Manslaughter
- PC 203, 205 – Mayhem
- PC 206 – Torture
- PC 207 – Kidnapping
- PC 210.5 – False Imprisonment of a Hostage
- PC 211 – Robbery
- PC 21310 – Possession of a “Dirk” or “Dagger”
- PC 215 – Carjacking
- PC 21510 – Carrying a Switchblade
- PC 22210 – Possession of a Baton
- PC 236, 237 – False Imprisonment and Human Trafficking
- PC 240, 242 – Assault and Battery
- PC 243.4 – Sexual Assault; Sexual Battery
- PC 243(b), 243(c) – Battery on a Police Officer
- PC 243(e)(1) – Domestic Battery
- PC 244 – Assault with Caustic Chemicals
- PC 245(a)(1) – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- PC 245(a)(2) – Assault with a Firearm in California
- PC 25400 – Carrying a Concealed Firearm
- PC 25850 – Carrying a Loaded Firearm
- PC 261 – Rape
- PC 261.5 – Statutory Rape
- PC 261(a)(3) – Rape of an Intoxicated Woman
- PC 26100 – Discharging a Firearm From a Motor Vehicle (aka “Drive-By Shooting”)
- PC 26500 – Selling Firearms Without a License
- PC 270 – Failure to provide Child Care, or Child Neglect
- PC 270.1 – Failure to Supervise a Pupil’s School Attendance
- PC 272 – Contributing To The Delinquency Of A Minor
- PC 273.5(a) – Corporal Injury to Spouse
- PC 273.6 – Violation of Restraining Order
- PC 273(a) – Child Endangerment
- PC 273(d) – Child Abuse; Inflicting Physical Punishment on a Child
- PC 273(g) – Lewdness or Drunkenness in the Presence of a Child
- PC 277, 278, 278.5 – Child Abduction
- PC 278.5 – Child Abduction by Depriving Right to Custody or Visitation
- PC 286 – Sodomy
- PC 287 – Oral Copulation With A Minor
- PC 288 – Lewd Acts with a Minor
- PC 288.5 – Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14
- PC 288.7- Sex with a Child Under 10
- PC 288(a) – Child Molestation
- PC 289 – Forcible Penetration (by a Foreign Object)
- PC 290 – Failure to Register as Sex Offender
- PC 29800 – Felon with a Firearm
- PC 302 – Disturbing a Religious meeting
- PC 303(a) – Soliciting the Purchase of Alcohol
- PC 311.11(a) – Possession of Child Pornography
- PC 314 – Indecent Exposure
- PC 32 – Accessory After the Fact
- PC 332 – Obtaining Money by Fraud Through Gambling
- PC 337(a) – Selling Betting Pools, Participation in Bookmaking or Wagering Bets
- PC 337(b) – Bribing a Player or Participant to Throw a Sporting Event
- PC 337(c) – Accepting a Bribe to Throw a Sporting Event
- PC 350 – Manufacturing or Selling Counterfeit Marks
- PC 368 – Elder Abuse
- PC 372 – Creating a Public Nuisance
- PC 399 – Failure to Control a Dangerous Dog or Wild Animal
- PC 401 – Assisted Suicide Laws
- PC 4024.2 – Work Release Programs
- PC 403 – Disturbing a Public Meeting
- PC 405 – Participating in a Riot
- PC 408 – Unlawful Assembly
- PC 409, PC 416 – Refusal To Disperse
- PC 409.5(c) – Unauthorized Entry into an Emergency Area
- PC 415 – Disturbing the Peace
- PC 417 – Brandishing a Weapon
- PC 422 – Criminal Threats
- PC 422 – Hate Crimes
- PC 424 – Misappropriation of Public Funds
- PC 451, 452 – Arson
- PC 459 – Auto Burglary in California
- PC 459 – Burglary
- PC 459.5 – California Shoplifting Laws
- PC 463 – Looting in California
- PC 464 – Safe Blowing
- PC 466 – Possession of Burglary Tools
- PC 469 – Unauthorized Duplication of Keys to a State Building
- PC 470 – Forgery in California
- PC 470(a) – Forgery of a Driver’s License
- PC 470(b) – Fake ID and Driver’s License
- PC 476(a) – Bad Checks
- PC 484 – Credit Card Fraud
- PC 484 – Petty Theft
- PC 487 – Grand Theft
- PC 487(d)(1) – Grand Theft Auto
- PC 490.5 – Civil Demand Letters
- PC 496 – Receiving Stolen Property
- PC 499(b) – Unlawful Taking of a Bicycle or Vessel
- PC 499(c) – Theft Of Trade Secrets
- PC 502(c) – Unauthorized Computer Access & Fraud
- PC 503 – California Embezzlement
- PC 518-527 – Extortion; aka Blackmail
- PC 530.5e – Mail Theft
- PC 532 – Theft by False Pretenses
- PC 537(a) – Defrauding An Innkeeper
- PC 538(d) – Impersonating A Peace Officer
- PC 549 & 550 – Workers’ Comp Fraud
- PC 550 – Unemployment Insurance Fraud in California
- PC 550(a) – Healthcare Fraud in California
- PC 551 – Unlawful Referral to an Auto Repair Dealer
- PC 587 – Injuring, Tampering or Obstructing Railroad Tracks
- PC 591 – Damaging Phone or Electrical Lines
- PC 594 – Vandalism
- PC 597.7 – Leaving a Pet Unattended in a Vehicle
- PC 601 – Aggravated Trespass
- PC 602 – Criminal Trespassing
- PC 602.1 – Interfering or Obstructing a Public Business Establishment
- PC 631 – Wiretapping
- PC 632 – Eavesdropping
- PC 641.3 – Commercial Bribery
- PC 646.9 – Stalking
- PC 647 – Loitering
- PC 647.6 – Annoying or Molesting a Child
- PC 647(a) – Lewd Conduct in Public
- PC 647(b) – Prostitution and Solicitation for Prostitution
- PC 647(f) – Drunk in Public
- PC 647(j) – “Peeping Tom” Laws
- PC 647(J)(4) – California “Revenge Porn” Law
- PC 653.22 – Loitering for Prostitution
- PC 653.23 – Supervising or Aiding Prostitution
- PC 653(f) – Soliciting Someone to Commit a Crime
- PC 653m – Annoying Phone Calls
- PC 664, 21(a) – Attempted Crimes
- PC 664/187(a) – Attempted Murder
- PC 666 – Petty Theft with a Prior
- PC 667 (b) – (i) – California Three Strikes Law
- PC 67 – Bribery of an Executive Officer
- Securities Fraud in California
- VC 10501 – Filing a False Report of an Auto Theft
- VC 10750 – Destroying or Altering a VIN
- VC 10801 – Operating a Chop Shop in California
- VC 10803 – Buying or Possessing a Vehicle with Tampered VIN
- VC 10851(a) – Joyriding
- VC 10852 – Tampering with A Vehicle
- VC 12500 – Driving Without a License in California
- VC 12951 – Failing to Present a Driver’s License
- VC 13004.1 – Manufacturing Counterfeit Identification Cards
- VC 14601 – Driving On A Suspended Or Revoked License
- VC 14601.4 – Driving on a Suspended, Revoked License Causing Bodily Injury
- VC 20 – Providing False Statements to the DMV or CHP
- VC 20001-20002 – Hit & Run in California
- VC 21200.5 – Cycling Under The Influence
- VC 23103 & 23104 – Reckless Driving
- VC 23109(a)~(c) – Engaging in Speed Contest, Exhibition of Speed
- VC 23152(c) – Driving While Addicted to Drugs
- VC 23152(f) – Marijuana DUI
- VC 23222(b) – Driving with Marijuana
- VC 27 – Impersonating a CHP Officer
- VC 2800 – Disobeying A Peace Officer
- VC 2800.1 – Evading Police
- VC 2800.2 – Felony Reckless Evasion in California
- VC 2800.3 – Evading Police Causing Injury or Death
- VC 2800.4 – Evading Police by Driving on the Other Side of the Road
- VC 31 – Giving False Information to Police Officer
- VC 34506 – Failure to Comply with CHP Rules
- VC 35551 – Failing to Control the Weight of a Commercial Vehicle
- VC 42002.1 – Failure to Stop and Submit to an Inspection and Comply with CHP Rules
- VC 4461 – Illegal Disability Placards, License Plates
- VC 4463 – Fraudulent Registration of Vehicle Tags, Title, Certificates
- Warrants in Los Angeles California
- WIC 10980 – Welfare Fraud in Los Angeles
Federal Crimes
- Federal Money Laundering
- Federal False Statements
- Federal Mail Fraud
- Federal Healthcare Fraud
- Fraud by Wire, Radio and Television
- Theft, Embezzlement or Misapplication of Funds
- Federal Tax Evasion
- Financial Institution & Mortgage Fraud
- Federal Cybercrime
- Public Corruption: Bribery
- Ponzi Scheme
- Racketeering & Corrupt Organizations
- Federal Child Pornography Laws
- Grand Jury Investigation
- Federal Drug Trafficking
- Counterfeiting
- Traveling for Sex With a Minor
- Federal White Collar Defense: 5k1 Motion
Defense Expertise
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How to Win Your Case
We cannot stress enough that you read, understand and follow these 10 basic rules if you are criminally charged or under investigation:
- Don’t ever talk to the police
- Do not discuss your case with anyone
- Everything you tell your lawyer is confidential
- Tell police you need to contact your attorney
- Never consent to any search by the police
- If the police knock on your door, don't answer!
- Realize the consequences of a criminal conviction
- Your lawyer (not you) will contact any witnesses
- Information on your cell phone is evidence
- Early Intervention is the key
