California Criminal Law 2026

by Mark C Fields

This textbook focuses on California criminal law and procedures. After completing a course in Criminal Law, you will be familiar with the nature and sources of law, the court system, the adversarial process, the most prominent crimes, and accompanying criminal defenses. This course introduces you to crimes and defenses with the goal of applying what is learned to fact pattern scenarios and determining the appropriate criminal charges in those scenarios.

Description from LibreTexts.

Publisher: El Camino College
Subjects: Social Sciences
Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, as LibreTexts states it. Non-commercial use only.
Who can read: Teens profiles and older, judged from its title and subjects

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Front Matter
TitlePage
InfoPage
Table of Contents
Licensing
About the Book
Preface
1: Introduction to Criminal Law
1.1: Introduction and Chapter Learning Objectives
1.2: The History of Criminal Law
1.3: Definition of a Crime
1.4: Characteristics of Civil Litigation
1.5: Characteristics of a Criminal Prosecution
1.6: Two Different Trials—Two Different Results
1.7: Classification of Crimes
1.8: Punishment
1.9: Sources of Law
1.10: End-of-Chapter Summary
1.11: References
2: The Legal System in the United States
2.1: Federalism
2.2: The Branches of Government
2.3: The Court System
2.3.1: Jurisdiction
2.3.2: The Federal Courts
2.3.3: The State Courts
2.3.4: Key Takeaways From This Section
2.4: The Burden of Proof
2.5: End-of-Chapter Summary
2.6: References
3: Constitutional Protections & Laws of Arrest
3.1: Introduction and Chapter Learning Objectives
3.2: The United States Constitution
3.3: The Legislative Branch’s Prohibited Powers
3.4: The First Amendment
3.5: The Right to Privacy
3.6: Second Amendment - The Right to Bear Arms
3.7: Fifth Amendment - Self Incrimination and Double Jeopardy
3.8: Sixth Amendment – The Right to Counsel
3.9: Eighth Amendment - Excessive Punishment
3.10: Key Takeaways
3.11: Summary
3.12: References
3.13: The Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses
4: The Elements of a Crime
4.1: Chapter Learning Objectives
4.2: Criminal Act
4.2.1: Status as a Criminal Act
4.2.2: Omission or Failure to Act
4.2.3: Possession as a Crime
4.2.4: Key Takeaways
4.3: Criminal Intent
4.3.1: Common-Law Criminal Intent
4.3.2: Model Penal Code Criminal Intent
4.3.3: Elements and Criminal Intent
4.4: Causation and Harm
4.5: Summary
4.6: References
5: Criminal Defenses
5.1: Chapter Learning Obectives
5.2: Categorization of Defenses
5.2.1: Key Points
5.3: Self Defense
5.4: Other Use-of-Force Defenses
5.4.1: Defense of Others
5.4.2: Defense of Property
5.4.3: Ejection of Trespasser
5.4.4: Defense of Habitation
5.4.5: Use of Force in Arrest and Apprehension of Criminal Suspects
5.4.6: Key Takeaways
5.5: Defenses Based on Choice
5.6: Consent
5.6.1: Key Takeaways
5.7: The Insanity Defense
5.7.1: M’Naghten Insanity Defense
5.7.2: Irresistible Impulse Insanity Defense
5.7.3: The Substantial Capacity Test
5.7.4: The Durham Insanity Defense
5.7.5: Proving Insanity
5.7.6: Key Takeaways
5.8: Infancy, Intoxication, Ignorance, and Mistake
5.8.1: Infancy
5.8.2: Intoxication
5.8.3: Ignorance and Mistake
5.8.4: Key Takeaways
5.9: Entrapment
5.10: Summary
5.11: References
6: Parties to Crime
6.1: Study Points
6.2: Accomplice Liability
6.3: Vicarious Liability
6.4: Accessory
6.5: Key Takeaways
6.6: Summary
6.7: References
7: Inchoate Offenses
7.1: Criminal Attempt
7.1.1: Study Points
7.1.2: The History of Attempt
7.1.3: Attempt Statutes
7.1.4: Attempt Act
7.1.5: Proximity Test
7.1.6: Res Ipsa Loquitur Test
7.1.7: Probable Desistance Test
7.1.8: Model Penal Code Substantial Steps Test
7.1.9: Preparatory Crimes
7.1.10: Attempt Intent
7.1.11: Defenses to Attempt
7.1.12: Key Takeaways
7.2: Conspiracy
7.2.1: Conspiracy Act
7.2.2: Conspiracy Intent
7.2.3: Conspiracy Parties
7.2.4: Consequences of Conspiracy
7.2.5: Wharton’s Rule
7.2.6: Renunciation as a Defense to Conspiracy
7.2.7: Merger
7.2.8: Conspiracy Grading
7.2.9: Federal RICO
7.2.10: Key Takeaways
7.3: Solicitation
7.3.1: Solicitation Act
7.3.2: Solicitation Intent
7.3.3: Renunciation as a Defense to Solicitation
7.3.4: Solicitation Grading
7.3.5: Key Takeaways
7.4: Summary
7.5: References
8: Criminal Homicide
8.1: Introduction
8.2: Study Guide
8.3: Homicide
8.3.1: History of Homicide Laws
8.3.2: Corpus Delicti in Criminal Homicide
8.3.3: Feticide
8.3.4: Suicide
8.3.5: Key Takeaways
8.4: Murder
8.4.1: Murder Act
8.4.2: Murder Intent
8.4.3: The Meaning of Malice
8.4.4: The Meaning of Aforethought
8.4.5: Inference of Intent
8.4.6: Causation Issues in Murder
8.4.7: Harm Element of Murder
8.4.8: Justification and Excuse
8.4.9: Key Takeaways
8.5: CA Penal Code 187 - First-Degree Murder
8.5.1: Premeditated Murder
8.5.2: Definition of Willful, Deliberate, and Premeditated
8.5.3: Murder by a Specified Means
8.5.4: Murder Classification
8.5.5: Capital Murder
8.5.6: Key Takeaways
8.6: California Felony Murder Rule PC 189
8.6.1: Attempted a Felony
8.6.2: Participant in a Felony
8.6.3: Aiding and Abetting
8.6.4: Intent to Kill
8.7: Second-Degree Murder
8.7.1: Watson Murder Rule
8.8: Manslaughter
8.8.1: PC 192 (2024)
8.8.2: Concurrence of the Killing and the Heat of Passion
8.8.3: Involuntary Manslaughter
8.8.4: Misdemeanor Manslaughter
8.8.5: Key Takeaways
8.9: Summary
8.10: References
9: Sex Offenses
9.1: Introduction
9.2: Chapter Learning Objectives
9.3: History of Rape and Sodomy
9.4: Rape Elements
9.4.1: California Penal Code 261
9.4.2: Jury Instructions- CALCRIM No. 1000. Rape by Force, Fear, or Threats (Pen. Code, § 261(a)(2), (6) & (7))
9.5: Rape Attendant Circumstance
9.5.1: Proving Lack of Consent as an Attendant Circumstance
9.5.2: Proving Involuntary Consent by the Victim’s Resistance
9.5.3: The Requirement of Corroborative Evidence
9.6: Rape Intent
9.7: Rape Causation
9.7.1: Rape Harm
9.8: Rape Shield Laws
9.9: Acquaintance Rape
9.10: Spousal Rape
9.11: Laws
9.11.1: California Penal Code 261.5 Statutory Rape
9.11.2: CALCRIM Jury Instructions No. 1071. Unlawful Sexual Intercourse - Minor More Than Three Years Younger (Pen. Code, § 261.5(a) & (c))
9.11.3: CALCRIM No. 1072. Misdemeanor Unlawful Sexual Intercourse - Minor Within Three Years of Defendant’s Age (Pen. Code, § 261.5(a) & (b))
9.11.4: California Penal Code 264.1 Rape in Concert (aka “gang rape”)
9.11.5: CALCRIM No. 1001. Rape in Concert (Pen. Code, § 264.1)
9.11.6: Common defenses for PC 264.1
9.11.7: California Penal Code 286
9.11.8: CALCRIM No. 1030. Sodomy by Force, Fear, or Threats (Pen. Code, § 286(c)(2) & (3), (k))
9.11.9: California Penal Code 288 lewd or lascivious act
9.11.10: CALCRIM No. 1060. Lewd or Lascivious Act - Dependent Person (Pen. Code, § 288(b)(2) & (c)(2))
9.11.11: Penal Code § 285 PC – Incest
9.11.12: CALCRIM No. 1180. Incest (Pen. Code, § 285)
9.11.13: CA Penal Code § 290 Sex Offender Registration
9.11.14: California Megan's Law
9.12: Resources for Victims of Sexual Assault
9.13: End of Chapter Study Notes
9.14: References
10: Crimes Against Persons and Property
10.1: Chapter Learning Objectives
10.2: Assault and Battery
10.2.1: California Penal Code § 240 PC – Simple Assault
10.2.2: CALCRIM No. 915. Simple Assault (Pen. Code, § 240)
10.2.3: Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer or Emergency Personnel
10.2.4: The Difference Between an Assault and a Battery
10.2.5: Possible Defenses to Assault
10.2.6: California Penal Code § 242 Simple Battery
10.2.7: CALCRIM No. 960. Simple Battery (Pen. Code, § 242)
10.2.8: Possible Defenses to the Crime of Battery
10.2.9: CALCRIM No. 945. Battery Against Peace Officer (Pen. Code, §§ 242, 243(b), (c)(2))
10.2.10: Penal Code § 245(a)(1) Assault with Deadly Weapon (ADW)
10.2.11: CALCRIM No. 875. Assault With Deadly Weapon or Force Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury (Pen. Code, §§ 240, 245(a)(1)-(4), (b))
10.2.12: Defenses to ADW
10.2.13: California PC 203 Mayhem
10.2.14: California PC 422 Criminal Threats
10.2.15: Common Defenses to PC 422
10.2.16: Key Takeaways
10.3: Domestic Violence and Stalking
10.3.1: Domestic Violence
10.3.2: California Penal Code § 273.5 – “Corporal Injury” to a Spouse or Cohabitant (Domestic Violence)
10.3.2.1: CALCRIM No. 840. Inflicting Injury on Spouse, Cohabitant, or Fellow Parent Resulting in Traumatic Condition (Pen. Code, § 273.5(a))
10.3.2.2: Possible Legal defenses to PC 273.5
10.3.2.3: Consequences of a conviction of PC 273.5
10.3.3: Penal Code § 646.9 Stalking
10.3.3.1: California Penal Code § 646.9
10.3.3.2: CALCRIM No. 1301. Stalking (Pen. Code, § 646.9(a), (e)-(h))
10.3.4: Stalking Act
10.3.5: Stalking Intent
10.3.6: Key Takeaways
10.4: Kidnapping and False Imprisonment
10.4.1: Kidnapping Elements
10.4.2: Kidnapping Harm
10.4.3: Related Offenses to Kidnapping
10.4.4: Potential Defenses to Kidnapping and False Imprisonment
10.4.5: Key Takeaways
10.5: Theft Crimes
10.5.1: Extortion
10.5.2: Theft (Larceny)
10.5.3: California Penal Code §459.5(a) – Shoplifting
10.5.4: Robbery
10.5.4.1: Robbery Attendant Circumstances
10.5.4.2: Robbery Intent
10.5.4.3: Robbery Causation and Harm
10.5.4.4: Robbery Grading
10.5.5: Receiving Stolen Property
10.5.5.1: Receiving Stolen Property Act
10.5.5.2: Receiving Stolen Property Intent
10.5.5.3: Retaining Stolen Property
10.5.5.4: Receiving Stolen Property Attendant Circumstances
10.5.6: Key Takeaways
10.6: Crimes Against Property
10.6.1: Burglary
10.6.1.1: Burglary Act
10.6.1.2: Burglary Intent
10.6.1.3: Burglary Attendant Circumstances
10.6.1.4: Burglary Grading
10.6.2: Criminal Trespass
10.6.3: Arson
10.6.4: Criminal Mischief
10.6.5: Key Takeaways
10.6.6: Arson (1)
10.6.6.1: Arson Act
10.6.6.2: Arson Intent
10.7: Summary
10.8: References
11: Crimes Against the Public and Government
11.1: Quality-of-Life Crimes
11.1.1: Disorderly Conduct
11.1.1.1: Disorderly Conduct Act
11.1.1.2: Disorderly Conduct Intent
11.1.1.3: Disorderly Conduct Attendant Circumstance
11.1.1.4: Potential Constitutional Challenges to Disorderly Conduct Statutes
11.1.1.5: Disorderly Conduct Grading
11.1.2: Vagrancy and Loitering
11.1.3: Sit-Lie Laws
11.1.4: Key Takeaways
11.1.5: Exercises
11.1.6: References
11.2: Crimes Targeting Group Conduct
11.2.1: Unlawful Assembly and Failure to Disperse
11.2.1.1: Potential Constitutional Challenges to Unlawful Assembly and Failure to Disperse Statutes
11.2.1.2: Unlawful Assembly and Failure to Disperse Grading
11.2.1.3: Riot
11.2.1.4: Criminal Gangs
11.2.1.5: Criminal Gangs (1)
11.2.2: Key Takeaways
11.2.3: Exercises
11.2.4: References
11.3: Vice Crimes
11.3.1: Drug Crimes
11.3.1.1: Federal and State Drug Schedules
11.3.1.2: Federal and State Drug Crimes
11.3.1.3: Modernization of Drug Crimes Statutes
11.3.2: Crimes Involving Prostitution
11.3.3: Various Vice Statutes
11.3.4: Key Takeaways
11.3.5: Exercises
11.3.6: References
11.4: Crimes Against the Public Material
11.4.1: You Be the Legislator
11.4.2: Points of Interest
11.4.3: Answers to Exercises
11.5: Crimes Involving National Security
11.5.1: Treason
11.5.2: Sedition
11.5.3: Sabotage
11.5.4: Espionage
11.5.5: Key Takeaways
11.5.6: Exercises
11.5.7: References
11.6: 2 Crimes Involving Terrorism
11.6.1: Statutory Schemes Targeting Terrorism
11.6.2: Criminal Terroristic Conduct
11.6.3: Constitutional Challenges to the USA PATRIOT Act
11.6.4: Key Takeaways
11.6.5: Exercises
11.6.6: References
11.7: Perjury, Bribery, and Obstruction of Justice
11.7.1: Perjury History and Elements
11.7.2: Perjury by Inconsistent Statements
11.7.3: Subornation of Perjury
11.7.4: Perjury Grading
11.7.5: Bribery Elements
11.7.6: Prosecutorial Burden in Bribery Prosecutions
11.7.7: Bribery When No Authority to Act Is Present
11.7.8: Bribery Grading
11.7.9: Obstruction of Justice
11.7.10: Additional Crimes against the Government
11.7.11: Key Takeaways
11.7.12: Exercises
11.7.13: Law and Ethics
11.7.14: References
11.8: Crimes Against the Government Material
11.8.1: You Be the USA
11.8.2: Points of Interest
11.8.3: Answers to Exercises
12: Crimes Against Children, Public Morales; Juvenile Status Offenses
12.1: Chapter Learning Objectives
12.2: Introduction
12.3: Mandated Reporters in California
12.4: Child Protective Services
12.4.1: The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
12.5: Criminal Statutes Involving Crimes Against Children
12.5.1: CA Penal Code 273 [a]&[b] - Child Endangerment
12.5.2: CA Penal Code 273 [d] – Child abuse
12.5.3: CA Penal Code 270 – Failure to provide care (child neglect)
12.5.4: CA Penal Code 193.8[a] – Relinquishing a vehicle to a minor
12.5.5: CA Penal Code 311.11- Child Pornography Laws
12.5.6: CALCRIM No. 1145. Possession of Matter Depicting Minor Engaged in Sexual Conduct (Pen. Code, § 311.11(a))
12.5.7: CA Penal Code 272 - Contributing to Delinquency of Minor
12.5.8: CA Penal Code 288 - Lewd Acts w/a Child
12.5.9: CALCRIM No. 1110. Lewd or Lascivious Act - Child Under 14 Years (Pen. Code, § 288(a))
12.5.10: CA Penal Code 647.6 - Annoying or molesting any child under the age of 18
12.5.11: CA Penal Code 653 [b] - Loitering Near Schools - Public Places
12.6: Crimes Against Public Morals
12.6.1: CA Penal Code 285 – Incest
12.6.2: CA Penal Code 314 – Indecent Exposure
12.6.3: CALCRIM No. 1160. Indecent Exposure (Pen. Code, § 314)
12.6.4: CA Penal Code 290 Sex Offender Registration
12.7: Juvenile Status Offenses (truancy, alcohol, tobacco, vape products)
12.7.1: California Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I) 601
12.7.2: California Welfare and Institutions Code 300 Child Abuse and Neglect
12.8: References
13: Dangerous Weapons Laws
13.1: Introduction
13.2: Chapter Learning Objectives
13.3: Firearms Crimes
13.3.1: California Gun Law History and Politics
13.4: The Gun Fight in the Courts
13.5: California Gun Law Basics
13.6: Firearms Criminal Statutes
13.6.1: PC 24610 Undetectable Firearms (aka Ghost Guns)
13.6.2: Other Gun Laws
13.6.3: PC 22010 Possession of Nunchaku (aka nun chucks)
13.6.4: PC 22410 Possession of Shuriken
13.6.5: PC 22610 - Stun guns
13.6.6: PC 22810 – Unlawful Use of Tear Gas
13.6.7: Penal Code § 22210 PC – Leaded Canes & Batons – California Law
13.6.8: PC 33410 Unlawful commerce or possession of silencer
13.6.9: PC 31360(a) Unlawful possession of body armor
13.7: Knives Out
13.8: References
14: Drug Laws
14.1: Introduction
14.2: Chapter Learning Objectives
14.3: Controlled Substances Act (CSA)
14.4: California Drug Laws
14.4.1: 11350(a) HS – Possession of a Controlled Substance
14.4.2: Elements of Possession
14.5: Under Influence of Controlled Substances
14.6: Drug Recognition Expert
14.7: H&S 11351 Unlawful Possession for Sale
14.8: H & S 11370.1 – Possession of a Controlled Substance While Armed
14.9: B&P 4145.5 Possession of Needles or Syringes
14.10: References
15: Traffic and Other Related Offenses
15.1: Introduction
15.2: Chapter Learning Objectives
15.3: Lying to Peace Officers
15.3.1: Vehicle Code 20 False Statements to the DMV or CHP
15.3.2: Common defenses to VC 20
15.3.3: Vehicle Code 31 Providing False Information to a Peace Officer
15.3.4: California Penal Code Section 148.9 PC- False Identification to Police Officer
15.3.5: California Code Penal Code 529 False Personation
15.3.6: CALCRIM No. 2044. False Personation (Pen. Code, § 529(a))
15.4: Vehicle Code 2800 Disobeying a Police Officer
15.5: Vehicle Code 2800.1 Evading a Peace or Police Officer
15.6: CALCRIM No. 2181. Evading Peace Officer (Veh. Code, §§ 2800.1(a), 2800.2)
15.7: Vehicle Code 2800.3 VC | Evading an Officer Causing Injury or Death
15.8: Vehicle Code 2814.2 VC | Sobriety Checkpoint Inspections
15.9: Vehicle Code 4000a1 | Vehicle Registration Requirements
15.10: Vehicle Code 4461 Illegal Use of Disabled Parking Placards
15.11: Vehicle Code 4463 VC | Forgery or Falsification of Car Registration Stickers
15.12: Vehicle Code 10501 False Reports of Auto Theft
15.13: Vehicle Code 10803 Buying or Possessing Vehicles with Altered VIN Numbers
15.14: Vehicle Code 10851 Unlawful Taking or Driving of a Vehicle
15.15: Vehicle Code 10852 VC | Tampering with a Motor Vehicle
15.16: Vehicle Code 12500 Driving without a License
15.17: Vehicle Code 12951 Failure to Present a Driver’s License
15.18: Vehicle Code 13210 Road Rage License Suspension
15.19: Vehicle Code 14601 (a) Driving on a Suspended License
15.20: Vehicle Code 14601.2 Driving on a License Suspended Because of DUI
15.21: Vehicle Code 16028(a) VC | Proof of Financial Responsibility
15.22: Vehicle Code 20002 (a) Misdemeanor Hit & Run
15.23: Vehicle Code 20001 (a) VC | Felony Hit & Run
15.24: Vehicle Code 21200 Bicycle Rider Laws
15.25: Vehicle Code 21200.5 Cycling Under the Influence
15.26: Vehicle Code 21209 Driving on a Bike Lane
15.27: Vehicle Code 21453 Red Light Violations
15.28: Vehicle Code 21461[a] Duty to Obey Traffic Signs or Signals
15.29: Vehicle Code 21654 CVC | Driving Too Slowly Not on the Right (AKA Impeding Traffic)
15.30: Vehicle Code 21655.5 Carpool Violations
15.31: Vehicle Code 21658 Unsafe Lane Change/Lane Straddling (or weaving)
15.32: Vehicle Code 21703 Tailgating (Following too Closely)
15.33: Vehicle Code 21755 Unsafe Passing on the Right
15.34: Vehicle Code 21800 – 21804 Failure to Yield
15.35: Vehicle Code 21806 Failure to Yield to an Emergency Vehicle
15.36: Vehicle Code 21950 VC | Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian
15.37: Vehicle Code 21955 Jaywalking
15.38: Vehicle Code 22100 Right and Left-Hand Turns
15.39: Vehicle Code 22102 Illegal U-turn in Business District
15.40: Vehicle Code 22107 Unsafe Turning
15.41: Vehicle Code 22108 Failure to Signal
15.42: Vehicle Code 22106 CVC | Unsafe Starting or Backing
15.43: Speed Laws
15.43.1: Vehicle Code 22350 Basic Speeding Law
15.43.2: Vehicle Code 22352 Prima Facie Speed Limits
15.43.3: Vehicle Code 22348[b] Driving Over 100 MPH
15.43.4: Vehicle Code 22362 VC | Speeding in a Construction Zone(double fines)
15.43.5: Vehicle Code 22400 VC | Driving too Slowly
15.43.6: Vehicle Code 22406 (a-f) Combo of Vehicles Speeding Over 55 MPH
15.44: Vehicle Code 22454 Passing of School Buses
15.45: Vehicle Code 22450 Running a Stop Sign
15.46: Vehicle Code 22500 [a-m] Improper Parking, Stopping or Standing
15.47: Vehicle Code 22651 Circumstances in which removal permitted (Impoundment)
15.48: Vehicle Code 23103 Reckless Driving
15.49: CALCRIM No. 2200. Reckless Driving (Veh. Code, § 23103(a) & (b))
15.50: Vehicle Code 23109(a) Engaging in a Speed Contest
15.51: California Vehicle Code 23109(c) Exhibition of Speed
15.52: CALCRIM No. 2202. Exhibition of Speed (Veh. Code, § 23109(c))
15.53: Vehicle Code 23110 Throwing Objects at a Motor Vehicle
15.54: Driving Under the Influence and Related Offenses
15.54.1: Vehicle Code 23152 (a) and/or (b) Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
15.54.2: CALCRIM No. 2110. Driving Under the Influence (Veh. Code, § 23152(a)
15.54.3: Vehicle Code 23153 VC | DUI with Injury
15.54.4: Vehicle Code 23136 Underage DUI
15.54.5: Vehicle Code 23140 VC | Under 21 DUI
15.54.6: Vehicle Code 23152 (c) VC | Driving While Addicted to a Drug
15.54.7: Vehicle Code 23221 Drinking Alcohol or Smoking/Eating Dope in a Motor Vehicle
15.55: Mechanical Violations
15.55.1: Vehicle Code 5200 VC | License Plate Display Requirements
15.55.2: Vehicle Code 26708 Window Tinting
15.55.3: Vehicle Code 40302 Physical Arrests for Traffic Violations
15.56: References
Back Matter
Index
Glossary
Detailed Licensing

California Criminal Law 2026

Contents