California Penal Codes
Our Guide to the California Penal Code
The majority of guides you will find here will cover crimes outlined in Part 1 of the Penal Code. However, you will also find guides to the most relevant titles and sections in other parts as well. If you are unable to find the information you need about the crime of which you have been accused, or need to speak with an attorney, contact MBLK Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Criminal – General
- Assault
- Battery
- Criminal Negligence
- Disturbing the Peace
- Illegal Search and Seizure
- Kidnapping
- Vandalism
Domestic Violence
- Child Endangerment
- Corporal Injury – PC 273.5
- Domestic Violence Charges
Drug Crimes
- California Marijuana Laws
- Drug Diversion Program
- Medical Marijuana Dispensary Laws
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession or Sale of Marijuana
DUI
- Cycling Under the Influence
- DUI Defense
- DUI Penalties
- DUI Probation
- Felony DUI
- Hit and Run
- Open Container Law
- Public Drunkenness
- Sobriety Checkpoints
Family Law
- Child Custody
- Child Support
- Common Law Marriages
- Divorce: Filing and Requirements
- Prenuptial Agreements
Murder
- Attempted Murder
- Felony Murder
- Murder – General
- Vehicular Manslaughter
- Voluntary vs. Involuntary Manslaughter
Sex Crimes
- Incest
- Indecent Exposure
- Lewd Conduct with a Minor
- Illegal Oral Copulation
- Rape
- Statutory Rape
Larceny
- Burglary
- Grand Theft
- Grand Theft Auto
- Petty Theft
- Robbery
- Stolen Property Laws
White Collar Crimes
- Check Fraud
- Embezzlement
Parts of the Penal Code
Hundreds of thousands of words comprise the California Penal Code. For many, the code is all but incomprehensible, written in such a way that only those with an advanced law degree can fully understand its meaning. That seems a bit unfair to residents of the state who may be charged with a crime and don’t really know what, exactly, they have been charged with.
Every criminal law on the books falls into a certain section within the Penal Code. The Code is broken down into several smaller segments: Six “Parts,” which each have “Titles” within them; these Titles are broken down into “Chapters,” and each Chapter is finally broken down into “Sections,” the smallest part of the Code.
The vast majority of the crimes in California are spelled out in Part 1 of the Penal Code. It covers everything from robbery to trespassing to murder to treason. Part 2 of the Penal Code covers the criminal procedure system. This includes how police officers must act and the process of court proceedings. Part 3 refers to the corrections system, a.k.a. prisons. It includes local and state jails, as well as the application of the death penalty.
Apprehending criminals and preventing crimes is covered in Part 4. This includes how investigations must be conducted, police officer training and different bills regarding crime prevention. Part 5 is the smallest part, and establishes the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation. Finally, Part 6 establishes laws regulating guns and other deadly weapons, including licensing and defining different firearms.
