California · Penal Code

PEN §243.10: (a) Any person who commits a battery against a member of the United States Armed Forces because of the victim’s service in the United States Armed Forces shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Battery against a U.S. Armed Forces member motivated by their military service is punishable by up to $2,000 fine, up to one year in county jail, or both.

Read the full statutory text

(a) Any person who commits a battery against a member of the United States Armed Forces because of the victim’s service in the United States Armed Forces shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars ($2,000), by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not exceeding one year, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) “Because of” means that the bias motivation must be a cause in fact of the battery, whether or not other causes exist. When multiple concurrent motives exist, the prohibited bias must be a substantial factor in bringing about the battery.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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