California · Public Utilities Code - PUC

PUC §120450.5: No person shall give, either orally or in writing, information to a public officer or employee engaged in the enforcement of the provisions of this article when that person knows that the information

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Knowingly giving false information to a law enforcement officer is an infraction with a $50 fine, but becomes a misdemeanor after two prior convictions, punishable by up to $500 fine and/or six months jail.

Read the full statutory text

No person shall give, either orally or in writing, information to a public officer or employee engaged in the enforcement of the provisions of this article when that person knows that the information is false. A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed fifty dollars ($50), except that such a violation by a person, after the second conviction of a violation of this section, shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. This section is in addition to, and does not supersede or limit, any and all other remedies, civil or criminal.

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.