California · Penal Code

PEN §667.51: (a) A person who is convicted of violating Section 288 or 288.

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A person convicted of child sexual abuse (Section 288 or 288.5) receives a five-year sentence enhancement for prior qualifying sex offense convictions, or 15 years to life imprisonment for two or more prior convictions.

Read the full statutory text

(a) A person who is convicted of violating Section 288 or 288.5 shall receive a five-year enhancement for a prior conviction of an offense specified in subdivision (b). (b) Section 261, 264.1, 269, 285, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, or 289, former Section 262 or 288a, or any offense committed in another jurisdiction that includes all of the elements of any of the offenses specified in this subdivision. (c) A violation of Section 288 or 288.5 by a person who has been previously convicted two or more times of an offense specified in subdivision (b) shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 15 years to life.

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.