California · Penal Code

PEN §4575: (a) Any person in a local correctional facility who possesses a wireless communication device, including, but not limited to, a cellular telephone, pager, or wireless Internet device, who is not autho

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Unauthorized possession of wireless devices or handcuff keys in local correctional facilities is a misdemeanor; unauthorized tobacco possession is an infraction where bans are adopted.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Any person in a local correctional facility who possesses a wireless communication device, including, but not limited to, a cellular telephone, pager, or wireless Internet device, who is not authorized to possess that item is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). (b) Any person housed in a local correctional facility who possesses any tobacco products in any form, including snuff products, smoking paraphernalia, any device that is intended to be used for ingesting or consuming tobacco, or any container or dispenser used for any of those products, is guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (c) Money collected pursuant to this section shall be placed into the inmate welfare fund, as specified in Section 4025. (d) Any person housed in a local correctional facility who possesses a handcuff key who is not authorized to possess that item is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine. As used in this subdivision, “handcuff key” means any device designed or intended to open or unlatch a handcuff. (e) Subdivision (b) shall only apply to a person in a local correctional facility in a county in which the board of supervisors has adopted an ordinance or passed a resolution banning tobacco in its correctional facilities.

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.