California · Government Code

GOV §1855: Every officer whose office is abolished by law, or who, after the expiration of the time for which he may be appointed or elected, or after he has resigned or been legally removed from office, willful

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A former officer who willfully destroys office records or withholds records and property from successors is punishable by state prison imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text
Every officer whose office is abolished by law, or who, after the expiration of the time for which he may be appointed or elected, or after he has resigned or been legally removed from office, willfully and unlawfully (a) Mutilates, destroys, or takes away the records, papers, documents, or other writings appertaining or belonging to his office, or (b) Withholds or detains from his successor, or other person entitled thereto, the records, papers, documents, or other writings appertaining or belonging to his office, or any money or property in his custody as such officer, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison.

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.