California · Government Code

GOV §68097.7: Any person who pays or offers to pay any money or other form of consideration for the services of any employee of the Department of Justice who is a peace officer or an analyst in a technical field, p

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is illegal to pay or offer payment to certain law enforcement or fire personnel for their witness testimony outside authorized channels, and unlawful for such personnel to solicit or accept such payments.

Read the full statutory text

Any person who pays or offers to pay any money or other form of consideration for the services of any employee of the Department of Justice who is a peace officer or an analyst in a technical field, peace officer of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, peace officer member of the State Fire Marshal’s office, sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal, firefighter, or city police officer as a witness in any action or proceeding in connection with a matter regarding an event or transaction which he or she has perceived or investigated in the course of his or her duties in any manner other than as provided in Sections 68097.1, 68097.2, 68097.3, 68097.4, 68097.5, and 68097.6 is guilty of a misdemeanor, and any employee of the Department of Justice who is a peace officer or an analyst in a technical field, peace officer of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, peace officer member of the State Fire Marshal’s office, sheriff, deputy sheriff, marshal, deputy marshal, firefighter, or city police officer who asks or receives a payment except as provided in Sections 68097.2 and 68097.4 is likewise guilty of a misdemeanor.

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.