California · Penal Code

PEN §11413: (a) Any person who explodes, ignites, or attempts to explode or ignite any destructive device or any explosive, or who commits arson, in or about any of the places listed in subdivision (b), for the p

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A person who explodes, ignites, or commits arson at specified locations (hospitals, places of worship, schools, courts, etc.) to terrorize another or in reckless disregard of terrorizing is guilty of a felony punishable by 3–7 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Any person who explodes, ignites, or attempts to explode or ignite any destructive device or any explosive, or who commits arson, in or about any of the places listed in subdivision (b), for the purpose of terrorizing another or in reckless disregard of terrorizing another is guilty of a felony, and shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for three, five, or seven years, and a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (b) Subdivision (a) applies to the following places: (1) Any health facility licensed under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250) of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code, or any place where medical care is provided by a licensed health care professional. (2) Any church, temple, synagogue, mosque, or other place of worship. (3) The buildings, offices, and meeting sites of organizations that counsel for or against abortion or among whose major activities are lobbying, publicizing, or organizing with respect to public or private issues relating to abortion. (4) Any place at which a lecture, film-showing, or other private meeting or presentation that educates or propagates with respect to abortion practices or policies, whether on private property or at a meeting site authorized for specific use by a private group on public property, is taking place. (5) Any bookstore or public or private library. (6) Any building or facility designated as a courthouse. (7) The home or office of a judicial officer. (8) Any building or facility regularly occupied by county probation department personnel in which the employees perform official duties of the probation department. (9) Any private property, if the property was targeted in whole or in part because of any of the actual or perceived characteristics of the owner or occupant of the property listed in subdivision (a) of Section 422.55. (10) Any public or private school providing instruction in kindergarten or grades 1 to 12, inclusive. (c) As used in this section, “judicial officer” means a magistrate, judge, justice, commissioner, referee, or any person appointed by a court to serve in one of these capacities, of any state or federal court located in this state. (d) As used in this section, “terrorizing” means to cause a person of ordinary emotions and sensibilities to fear for personal safety. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the prosecution of any person pursuant to Section 18740 or any other provision of law in lieu of prosecution pursuant to this section.

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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.