Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions
The California Codes
When a bill is approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, it becomes part of the voluminous set of rules, regulations, and restrictions that make up California law. These laws are divided into 29 codes, major groupings that cover everything from food and agriculture to revenue and taxation, and insurance and finance to harbors and navigation.Some of these codes specify what the government will do - like provide public eduction. Others regulate the processes used in manufacturing. Still others provide protection to wildlife. The types of laws are as varied as the society they govern.
Criminal Law
Criminal law is concerned with the codes that say what people can and cannot do in their interactions with other members of society. The State of California, however, doesn't group all of these rules into one criminal code. Instead, criminal laws are dispersed throughout a variety of the 29 major code categories - though most are found in the Penal Code, the Health and Safety Code, the Vehicle Code, and the Business and Professions Code. If you are arrested by the police, the charges brought filed against you by the district attorney's office will most likely come from one of these four categories.Felonies · Misdemeanors · Infractions
Each criminal violation can be either a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction. - An infraction - for example, a citation for littering or a traffic ticket - is the least serious, usually coming with a fine up to $250 and no time in jail.
- A misdemeanor is more serious, carrying some combination of a fine up to $1000, jail time up to one year, work project, probation, or counseling. First time DUI, petty theft, simple battery, and reckless driving are examples.
- A felony is the most serious and can come with state prison terms of 16 months or more, county jail time up to a year plus probation, and/or severe fines. The death penalty is even a possibility in extreme cases.