---
title: "California Penal Code Library"
description: "Plain-language explanations of the California penal code sections that come up most often in DUI and criminal defense cases."
url: "https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes"
site: "H Law Group"
---

# California Penal Code Library

Plain-language explanations of the California penal code sections that come up most often in DUI and criminal defense cases.

## Code sections

- [California Penal Code 136.1 PC: Intimidating a Witness or Victim](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-136-1-intimidating-a-witness-or-victim) -- What California Penal Code 136.1 actually punishes, the wobbler vs. felony penalty split, the domestic violence trap, and real defenses.
- [California Penal Code 187 PC: Murder](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/penal-code-187-murder) -- Facing a PC 187 murder charge in California? Learn the elements prosecutors must prove, first vs. second degree penalties, the felony-murder rule after SB 1437.
- [California Penal Code 211 PC: Robbery: Elements, Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-211-robbery-elements-penalties-defenses) -- PC 211 robbery can mean up to 9 years in prison. Learn the elements, first vs. second degree rules, sentencing enhancements, and real defenses.
- [California Penal Code 21510 PC: Carrying a Switchblade Knife](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-21510-carrying-a-switchblade-knife) -- Penal Code 21510 makes carrying a switchblade a misdemeanor. Learn the exact blade-length rule, penalties, real defenses, and what knives stay legal.
- [California Penal Code 278 PC: Child Abduction](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-278-child-abduction) -- California Penal Code 278 explained: elements, wobbler penalties, how it differs from PC 278.5, and real defenses in custody-related cases.
- [California Penal Code 287 PC: Oral Copulation With a Minor: Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/penal-code-287-pc-oral-copulation-with-a-minor) -- PC 287 covers oral copulation with a minor in California. Learn the elements, penalties by subdivision, registration rules, and real defenses.
- [California Penal Code 311, 311.2, 311.3 & 311.4 : Obscene Matter and Child Pornography Offenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-311-311-2-311-3-311-4-obscene-matter-and-child-pornography-offenses) -- Facing PC 311, 311.2, 311.3, or 311.4 charges in California? Learn the elements, penalties, PC 290 registration rules, and defenses.
- [California Penal Code 415 PC: Disturbing the Peace Laws, Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/penal-code-415-disturbing-the-peace) -- PC 415 covers fighting, loud noise, and offensive words in public. Learn the three ways to violate it, penalties, and when the First Amendment applies.
- [California Penal Code 417 PC: Brandishing a Weapon or Firearm: Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-417-brandishing-a-weapon-or-firearm) -- PC 417 brandishing charges range from 30 days to 3 years, and a related law makes road-rage gun displays a straight felony. Here's how it breaks down.
- [California Penal Code 4573 PC: Bringing Drugs Into a Jail or Prison](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-4573-bringing-drugs-into-jail-or-prison) -- California Penal Code 4573 makes it a felony to bring drugs into a jail or prison, even for someone booked on an unrelated charge. Here's how the law works.
- [California Penal Code 466 PC: Possession of Burglary Tools](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-466-possession-of-burglary-tools) -- PC 466 makes it a misdemeanor to possess tools like a crowbar or picklock with intent to break in. Here's how the charge works and how it's defended.
- [California Penal Code 538d PC: Impersonating a Peace Officer](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-538d-impersonating-a-peace-officer) -- California Penal Code 538d bans wearing a police badge or uniform to impersonate an officer. Penalties, real defenses, and how it differs from PC 146a and PC 529.
- [California Penal Code 594 PC: Vandalism](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-594-vandalism) -- Charged under PC 594? See the exact dollar-amount penalty tiers, restitution rules, and defenses that apply to California vandalism cases.
- [California Penal Code 602 PC: Trespassing Laws & Penalties](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-602-trespassing) -- Facing a PC 602 trespassing charge in California? Learn which subsections are infractions vs. misdemeanors, the PC 601 distinction, and real defenses.
- [California Penal Code 632 PC: Eavesdropping and Recording Without Consent](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-632-eavesdropping-recording-without-consent) -- California Penal Code 632 makes secretly recording a confidential conversation a crime. Learn the elements, penalties, defenses, and civil exposure.
- [California Penal Code 647(f) PC: Public Intoxication (Drunk in Public) Laws and Penalties](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-647-f-disorderly-conduct-public-intoxication) -- Penal Code 647(f) requires more than being drunk in public. Learn the actual legal test, penalties, and defenses for a California public intoxication charge.
- [California Vehicle Code 10851 VC: Unlawful Taking or Driving of a Vehicle](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-10851-unlawful-taking-or-driving-a-vehicle) -- California defense attorneys explain VC 10851, joyriding penalties, the grand theft auto distinction, and how Prop 47 really applies.
- [California Vehicle Code 14601.1(a) VC -- Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-14601-1-a-driving-on-a-suspended-license) -- Charged under VC 14601.1(a) in California? Learn the knowledge element, current penalties, impound rules, and real defenses that apply.
- [California Vehicle Code 23152(a) - DUI of Alcohol: Laws, Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vehicle-code-23152-a-driving-under-the-influence) -- VC 23152(a) makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol in California. Learn penalties by offense, defenses, and DMV consequences. Free consultation.
- [California Vehicle Code 23152(b) - Driving with BAC 0.08% or Higher: DUI Per Se Law](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vehicle-code-23152-b-driving-with-bac-0-08-percent-or-higher) -- VC 23152(b) makes driving with a BAC of 0.08%+ illegal in California, regardless of impairment. Learn penalties, DMV rules, and defenses to challenge test results.
- [California Vehicle Code 23247: Ignition Interlock Device Violations](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23247-ignition-interlock-device-violations) -- What California Vehicle Code 23247 actually punishes, how a conviction affects your interlock requirement, real defenses, and what to do next.
- [California Vehicle Code 4463: Forged Registration and Plate Fraud](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-4463-forged-vehicle-registration-fraud) -- California VC 4463 covers forged registration, plates, and fake DMV tabs. Learn the penalties, real defenses, and how this wobbler is actually charged.
- [California Vehicle code 23153 VC: DUI causing injury](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23153-dui-causing-injury) -- Facing VC 23153 charges? DUI defense attorneys at H Law Group explain DUI causing injury, penalties, defenses, and legal options. Free consultation.
- [DUI combined alcohol and drugs](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23152-g--dui-combined-alcohol-and-drugs) -- VC 23152(g) covers DUI from alcohol and drugs combined, even below 0.08% BAC. Learn how it is proven, penalties, and defenses.
- [DUI enhancements (BAC 0.15%+ / test refusal)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23577-23578-dui-enhancements-bac-015-test-refusal) -- VC 23577 and 23578 add jail time and sentencing weight for a 0.15%+ BAC or test refusal in a California DUI case. Penalties and defenses.
- [DUI of drugs (DUID)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23152-f--dui-of-drugs-duid) -- VC 23152(f) bans driving under the influence of drugs. No BAC limit applies. Learn how DUID is proven, penalties, and defenses.
- [Felony DUI (4th offense / prior felony DUI)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23550-23550-5-felony-dui-4th-offense-prior-felony-dui) -- VC 23550 covers a 4th DUI in 10 years; VC 23550.5 covers any DUI after a prior felony DUI. Learn penalties, priors, and defenses.
- [HS 11370.1 - Drug Possession While Armed with a Firearm](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/hs-11370-1-possession-controlled-substance-armed-firearm) -- California Health and Safety Code 11370.1 makes drug possession a straight felony if you're armed. Learn the elements, penalties, and defenses.
- [Hit and run (injury / property damage)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-20001-20002-hit-and-run-injury-property-damage) -- VC 20001 and 20002 cover hit and run in California. Learn penalties for injury, death, and property damage cases, plus common defenses.
- [PC 148.9 - False Identification to a Peace Officer: Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-148-9-false-identification-to-a-peace-officer) -- PC 148.9: what counts as false identification to a peace officer in California, real penalty exposure under PC 19, the 2021 probation cap, and real defenses.
- [PC 166 - Contempt of Court: Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-166-contempt-of-court) -- PC 166 contempt of court in California: direct vs. indirect contempt, real penalty tiers, the 2022 AB 764 update, and defenses that actually apply.
- [PC 191.5 - Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-191-5-gross-vehicular-manslaughter-while-intoxicated-wat) -- PC 191.5 covers DUI deaths in California. Learn the elements, penalties up to 15 years to life, and how it differs from Watson murder.
- [PC 211 - Robbery](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-211-robbery) -- California PC 211 defines robbery as taking property by force or fear. Learn the elements, degrees, and penalties for a robbery charge.
- [PC 236 - False Imprisonment](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-236-false-imprisonment) -- PC 236 makes false imprisonment a crime in California, chargeable as a misdemeanor or felony. Learn the elements, penalties, and defenses.
- [PC 243(e)(1) - Domestic Battery](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-243-e-1--domestic-battery) -- PC 243(e)(1) is California's domestic battery law. No injury is required for a conviction. Learn the penalties, firearm ban, and defenses.
- [PC 245(a) - Assault With a Deadly Weapon or Firearm](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-245-a--assault-with-a-deadly-weapon-firearm) -- PC 245(a) assault with a deadly weapon/firearm: elements, wobbler penalties, strike consequences, and defenses under California law.
- [PC 25400 - Carrying a Concealed Firearm](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-25400-carrying-a-concealed-firearm) -- PC 25400 concealed firearm law: what counts as concealed, the CCW license exception, felony triggers, penalties, and defenses.
- [PC 25610 - Transporting a Firearm in Your Vehicle (Locked Container Exception)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-25610-transporting-a-firearm-in-a-vehicle) -- PC 25610 explains how to legally drive with a handgun in California: unloaded, locked, four conditions. Miss one and you're facing a 25400 charge instead.
- [PC 25850 - Carrying a Loaded Firearm in Public](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-25850-carrying-a-loaded-firearm-in-public) -- PC 25850 loaded firearm in public: the law, felony triggers like an unregistered handgun or gang membership, penalties, and defenses.
- [PC 273.5 - Corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-273-5-corporal-injury-to-spouse-or-c) -- PC 273.5 punishes corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant as a felony wobbler. See the penalties, prior-conviction enhancements, and defenses.
- [PC 273.6 - Violating a Protective or Restraining Order](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-166-273-6-violating-a-protectiverestraining-order) -- PC 273.6 makes violating a domestic violence restraining order a crime, with steeper penalties for repeat or injury-causing violations in California.
- [PC 273a - Child Endangerment](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-273a-child-endangerment) -- PC 273a covers child endangerment in California, from misdemeanor exposure to a felony carrying up to six years. Here's how the charge works.
- [PC 29800 - Felon in Possession of a Firearm](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-29800-felon-in-possession-of-a-firearm) -- PC 29800 felon in possession: who's prohibited, what possession actually means, penalties, and defenses like lack of knowledge or control.
- [PC 422 - Criminal Threats](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-422-criminal-threats) -- PC 422 makes criminal threats a wobbler with strike consequences in California. Learn the elements, penalties, and defenses.
- [PC 459 / 459.5 - Burglary & Shoplifting](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-459-459-5-burglary-shoplifting) -- California PC 459 covers burglary; PC 459.5 covers shoplifting under $950. See the elements, penalties, and key differences.
- [PC 470 / 530.5 - Forgery & Identity Theft](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-470-530-5-forgery-identity-theft) -- California PC 470 covers forgery and PC 530.5 covers identity theft. Learn the elements, penalties, and available defenses.
- [PC 484 / 488 - Petty Theft](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-484-488-petty-theft) -- California PC 484/488 defines petty theft under $950. Learn the elements, penalties, and when it can become a felony.
- [PC 487 - Grand theft (over $950)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-487-grand-theft-over-950) -- California PC 487 defines grand theft as property theft over $950. Learn the thresholds, penalties, and common defenses.
- [PC 496 - Receiving Stolen Property](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-496-receiving-stolen-property) -- California PC 496 makes buying or concealing stolen property a crime. Learn the knowledge element, penalties, and defenses.
- [PC 646.9 - Stalking](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/pc-646-9-stalking) -- PC 646.9 defines stalking in California and sharply increases penalties when a restraining order is already in place.
- [PC 664/187 - Attempted Murder: Penalties & Defenses](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/penal-code-664-187-pc-attempted-murder) -- PC 664/187 attempted murder in California: what the DA must prove, life-with-parole vs. 9-year terms, firearm enhancements, and real defenses that apply.
- [Under-21 DUI (zero tolerance / 0.05%)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23136-23140-under-21-dui-zero-tolerance-005) -- VC 23136 and 23140 set zero-tolerance DUI rules for drivers under 21 in California. Learn BAC thresholds, penalties, and DMV consequences.
- [VC 12500: Driving Without a Valid License in California](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-12500-driving-without-a-valid-license) -- VC 12500 covers driving without a license in California. Learn the penalties, the 30-day impound rule, the checkpoint exception, and real defenses.
- [VC 14601.2 - Driving on a DUI-Suspended License in CA](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-14601-2-driving-on-a-dui-suspended-license) -- VC 14601.2 makes driving on a DUI-suspended license a misdemeanor with mandatory jail time. Learn penalties, defenses, and DMV consequences.
- [VC 23152(d): Commercial Driver DUI (0.04% BAC) in CA](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23152-d--commercial-driver-dui-004-bac) -- VC 23152(d) sets a 0.04% BAC limit for commercial drivers in California. Learn the elements, CDL disqualification periods, and defenses.
- [Vehicle Code 23153 VC - DUI Causing Injury](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vehicle-code-23153-vc-dui-causing-injury) -- California Vehicle Code 23153 makes DUI causing injury a wobbler offense with penalties up to 4 years in prison. Learn the elements, penalties, and defenses.
- [Wet reckless (DUI plea reduction)](https://www.thehfirm.com/penal-codes/vc-23103-23103-5-wet-reckless-dui-plea-reduction) -- VC 23103.5 wet reckless is a common DUI plea reduction in California. Learn the penalties, DMV effects, and why it still counts as a prior DUI.

---

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