California · Fish and Game Code - FGC

FGC §12150: Whenever any person, while taking a bird or mammal, kills or wounds any human being and that fact is ascertained by the department, the department shall notify the district attorney of the county in w

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

When a hunter kills or wounds a person, the department notifies the district attorney, who may bring a civil action to determine the cause. If intentional, grossly negligent, or alcohol-involved, the court may permanently ban hunting; if negligent, a temporary ban applies.

Read the full statutory text

Whenever any person, while taking a bird or mammal, kills or wounds any human being and that fact is ascertained by the department, the department shall notify the district attorney of the county in which the act occurred. The district attorney may thereupon bring an action in the superior court of the county in which the act occurred for the purpose of determining the cause of the killing or the wounding. These proceedings shall be conducted in the same manner as an action to try a misdemeanor and the defendant may request that all findings of fact shall be made by a jury. The court shall inform the defendant of the nature of the proceedings and of the defendant’s right to have a jury. If it is found that the defendant did the killing or wounding, but that it was not intentional or negligent, the court shall dismiss the proceeding. Otherwise, if it is found that the defendant did the killing or wounding intentionally, by an act of gross negligence, or while under the influence of alcohol, the court shall issue an order permanently prohibiting the defendant from taking any bird or mammal. If it is found that the defendant was negligent, but not grossly negligent, the court shall issue an order prohibiting the defendant from taking any bird or mammal for a period specified at the discretion of the court but not less than five years.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.