California · Penal Code

PEN §19.6: An infraction is not punishable by imprisonment.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute defines procedural rules for infractions, including that they carry no jail time and defendants have limited jury trial and appointed counsel rights.

Read the full statutory text

An infraction is not punishable by imprisonment. A person charged with an infraction shall not be entitled to a trial by jury. A person charged with an infraction shall not be entitled to have the public defender or other counsel appointed at public expense to represent him or her unless he or she is arrested and not released on his or her written promise to appear, his or her own recognizance, or a deposit of bail.

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.