California · Penal Code

PEN §840: An arrest for the commission of a felony may be made on any day and at any time of the day or night.

Civil

What this law says, in plain English

This statute establishes procedural rules for when arrests can be made: felony arrests anytime, but misdemeanor and infraction arrests are restricted to 6 a.m.–10 p.m. unless specific exceptions apply.

Read the full statutory text

An arrest for the commission of a felony may be made on any day and at any time of the day or night. An arrest for the commission of a misdemeanor or an infraction cannot be made between the hours of 10 o'clock p.m. of any day and 6 o'clock a.m. of the succeeding day, unless: (1) The arrest is made without a warrant pursuant to Section 836 or 837. (2) The arrest is made in a public place. (3) The arrest is made when the person is in custody pursuant to another lawful arrest. (4) The arrest is made pursuant to a warrant which, for good cause shown, directs that it may be served at any time of the day or night.

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.