Individuals in the prison system in California are not legally permitted to possess alcohol. They can face penalties if they are found with alcoholic substances. Anyone that supplied them with alcohol can also face criminal charges under California Business and Professions Code Section 25603: Bringing Intoxicants into a Penal Institution.
Boost your understanding of BPC 25603 charges right here. You can learn more about the penalties for a conviction for bringing intoxicants into a penal institution with the Simmrin Law Group. You can also review defenses that can work for BPC 25603 accusations.
The Definition of Bringing Intoxicants into a Penal Institution
BPC 25603 provides the legal definition of bringing intoxications into a penal institution in California. According to this code, individuals may face criminal charges for bringing any alcoholic beverage – without authorization – into a:
- State Prison
- City or County Jail
- State Reformatory
Note that merely bringing an alcoholic beverage onto the grounds of a penal institution is enough to lead to BPC 25603 charges in California.
Charges Similar to Bringing Intoxicants into a Penal Institution
California’s legal system strictly regulates the sale and usage of alcohol. Individuals throughout the state can face criminal charges for the following acts involving alcohol:
- Business and Professions Code Section 25608: Alcoholic Beverage at a Public Educational Facility
- Business and Professions Code Section 25631: Selling Alcohol Between 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM
- Business and Professions Code Section 25657(a): Soliciting Sale of Alcohol
- Business and Professions Code Section 25657(b): Allowing Loitering to Solicit Alcohol from Patrons
Note that the court system can also hand down criminal charges for individuals who bring drugs to a penal institution, under California Penal Code Section 4573: Bringing Drugs into Jail. Depending on the type of drug delivered to the penal institution, the court system could even utilize drug possession charges.
Examples of Bringing Intoxicants into a Penal Institution
Man A is visiting his brother in jail. It is his brother’s birthday and he wants to bring a present, so he tries to sneak in his brother’s favorite beer. He is stopped by a guard before he can visit his brother and the alcohol is discovered. He could face criminal charges under BPC 25603.
Man B works as a doctor in a state prison. He is responsible for bringing in some medical tools and equipment, including rubbing alcohol. While he is bringing alcohol into a penal institution, he shouldn’t face criminal charges since he is authorized to do so as part of his job.
Man C thinks about bringing alcohol to his girlfriend while she is behind bars, but decides it will be too easy to get caught. He tries to mail it to her, instead. The alcohol is found and does not reach her. However, he could still avoid charges since he did not physically deliver the alcohol.
Possible Penalties for a BPC 25603 Conviction in California
Any individual who brings an intoxicant into a penal institution can be charged with a felony in the state of California. A conviction for BPC 25603 violations can result in the following penalties:
- Prison Time: Up to Three Years
- Fines: Up to $10,000
As you can see, the court system in California can be incredibly harsh when handling BPC 25603 accusations.
Common Legal Defenses for BPC 25603 Charges in California
You can get professional help dealing with BPC 25603 accusations by reaching out to a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer. The professionals at the Simmrin Law Group can go over your unique situation. We can build a personalized defense for your case. Depending on your situation, we could work to show:
You Had Authority to Bring Alcohol into a Penal Institution
Some individuals are required by their jobs to bring alcohol into a penal institution. Many medical professionals use rubbing alcohol, for example, during healthcare treatments. Bringing in this type of alcohol should not lead to a BPC 25603 conviction.
You Did Not Physically Deliver Alcohol to a Penal Institution
Generally, BPC 25603 charges apply when an individual physically carries alcohol into a penal institution in California. You may not be convicted under BPC 25603 if you instead mailed in the alcohol, or had someone else deliver it in your place.
Call a Legal Professional to Handle BPC 25603 Charges
You can get professional advice regarding California Business and Professions Code Section 25603: Bringing Intoxicants into a Penal Institution charges right now. Let the Simmrin Law Group’s criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles get to work for you. Call us at (310) 896-2723 or complete our online contact form to get personalized attention.
We can offer you a FREE consultation about your legal needs today.