California · Government Code

GOV §1303: Every person who exercises any function of a public office without taking the oath of office, or without giving the required bond, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

A person who performs public office duties without taking the required oath or providing required bond commits a misdemeanor. Acts performed are still valid if others have interest in maintaining their validity.

Read the full statutory text

Every person who exercises any function of a public office without taking the oath of office, or without giving the required bond, is guilty of a misdemeanor. This section does not affect the validity of acts done by a person exercising the functions of a public office in fact, where other persons than himself are interested in maintaining the validity of such acts.

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.