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Penal Code 311 PC is the statute that makes child pornography illegal in California and is the primary law used by prosecutors to file charges against someone. Simply put, it’s a crime to distribute, transport, duplicate, print, advertise, or have possession of child pornography. It is also a crime to hire or...

Asset forfeiture is the government’s legal right to take someone’s property due to a reasonable suspicion it was acquired through illegal conduct or was used to commit a crime. In asset forfeiture cases, the property owner was usually convicted of a criminal offense before it was taken by forfeiture...

Various California laws make it a crime to possess, sell, transport, and manufacture heroin. If you have possession of heroin for personal use, it’s a misdemeanor offense, but sales and trafficking are felonies with severe penalties. Most people know that heroin is a dangerous and highly addictive illegal...

In California criminal cases, justice is typically pursued through criminal charges and convictions. While a perpetrator’s sentence might give some satisfaction, not every criminal case has to end with a conviction for a victim to receive something in return for a perpetrator’s conduct. Sometimes, a...

Penal Code 278 PC defines the crime of child abduction as when another person with no right of custody takes a child away and keeps them from their parents or legal guardians. This crime is frequently connected to domestic violence. It’s a “wobbler” that can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony...

California Penal Code 220 defines the crime of assault with intent to commit another felony that involves assaulting somebody with the intent to commit a sex crime. The crime of “assault” involves the application of force on someone when the contact is harmful or offensive. This includes even the...

Law enforcement officers are given the authority to issue orders to citizens to execute their duties.  For example, you are expected to follow lawful orders if pulled over at a traffic stop for a suspected driving violation. Perhaps their orders are necessary for public safety or to maintain regular order during...

Cyberstalking laws in California make it a crime to stalk anyone using an electronic communication device as it’s a type of online harassment through online anonymity. Stalking is described under Penal Code 646.9 PC as harassing or threatening another person to the point where they fear for their...

California Penal Code 487 PC describes the crime of grand theft as unlawfully taking someone’s property valued at $950 or more. This theft offense is a “wobbler” that can be filed as a misdemeanor or felony. If the property has a value of under $950, then a misdemeanor charge of Penal Code 484....

California Penal Code 236.1 PC defines the serious crime of human sex trafficking as depriving somebody of their liberty with the specific intent to obtain forced labor or services. PC 236.1 charges are also often connected to pimping and pandering, sexual exploitation of minors, extortion, and child pornography...

California Penal Code 288.5 defines the serious sexual-related crime of continuous sexual abuse of a child. This offense is described as someone engaging in three or more acts of substantial sexual conduct with a child under 14 years old occurring over three months or more. This unlawful behavior...

California Penal Code 215 PC defines the felony offense of carjacking as taking a motor vehicle from somebody using force or fear. Under this law, the use of “force or fear” means the defendant has to inflict physical force or make threats to harm the victim. PC 215 carjacking could be charged...

In California, Penal Code 207 PC defines the serious felony crime of “kidnapping” as moving somebody a substantial distance, against their will, using force or fear. PC 207 is usually called “simple kidnapping” and is a felony offense that carries up to eight years in state prison. Penal Code 209 PC, a related,,,

Under California Penal Code 242 PC, the crime of “battery” is described as willfully and unlawfully using force against someone. The victim of the battery doesn’t have to suffer a physical injury as the main “element of the crime” is that you offensively touch somebody. The closely related crime of...

California Penal Code 459 PC defines burglary as entering a residential or commercial structure, or a locked vehicle, with the intent to commit petty or grand theft or a felony crime. Put simply, the very moment you go into a structure with criminal intent; you have now violated PC 459 burglary laws...

Under California Health and Safety Code statutes, it’s a crime to possess, sell, or manufacture cocaine, which is frequently called “crack” and “coke.” Cocaine is a prevalent illegal drug in California, and authorities often charge people with cocaine-related drug crimes. Federal regulation places cocaine...

California Penal Code 207 PC describes the crime of kidnapping as moving someone a substantial distance against their will using force or fear. Penal Code 236 false imprisonment is similar to PC 207 kidnapping, but the difference is whether the victim was moved to another location required...

California Penal Code 273a PC defines the crime of child endangerment as the willful exposure of a child to unjustifiable pain, suffering, or danger. The child doesn’t have to be injured to face charges under this statute. Just exposing a child to danger could lead to a child endangerment arrest, charge...

Sexual battery is described as touching someone’s intimate parts without consent for the purpose of sexual gratification, arousal, or abuse. This sex crime in California is covered under Penal Code 243.4 and is commonly known as “sexual assault.” PC 243.4 sexual battery is touching somebody's intimate parts...

California Penal Code 647.6 PC makes it a crime to annoy or molest a child under 18 years old while motivated by an abnormal sexual interest of the minor. This statute is commonly known as “child molestation.” The meaning or annoying or molesting is to become engaged in conduct that...

California Penal Code 148(a) PC describes the crime of resisting or obstructing a police officer who is performing their lawful duty, which is known as “resisting arrest.” The statute also includes emergency medical professionals in the statutory language. When most...

California Penal Code 136.1 PC describes the crime of dissuading or intimidating a witness or victim, which can be filed as either a misdemeanor or felony crime. This statute is often called “witness tampering.” Witness intimidation charges can be filed against someone for different types...