Understanding California’s Penal Code

a closeup of a judge's hand banging a gavel

The first Penal Code in California was set up in the year 1872. Since then, the California Penal Code has evolved and grown to cover a wide range of criminal acts. The Penal Code is designed to define criminal acts and to set out the punishments for individuals convicted of crimes.

California’s Penal Code is incredibly long and can be difficult to understand, as laws change and new sections are added to address shifting charges. The Simmrin Law Group can provide you with professional advice about the regulations set forth in the Penal Code.

The Structure of California’s Penal Code

California’s Penal Code is made up of:

Parts
Titles
Chapters
Sections

“Parts” are the largest subdivision in the California Penal Code. The Penal Code contains six different parts, many of which are broken down into smaller titles, chapters, and sections. These parts cover many criminal acts, criminal investigations, the prison system, and more.

How Many Sections Are in the California Penal Code?

The California Penal code is made up of hundreds of sections and is ever-expanding with the passing of new laws. These sections lay out the largest part of the potential violations that a person could commit against the law. The 2021 softbound edition of the California Penal code is 3361 pages long containing up-to-date information about the current laws.

Who Enforces the Penal Code?

The California Penal Code is enforced by various peace officers across the state. Peace officers include:

Sheriffs
Sheriff deputies
Police officers of all ranks
Marshalls
Marshall deputies
Port wardens
Inspectors or investigators employed in the office of a district attorney

These peace officers have the legal duty to enforce these penal codes and arrest those who violate them.

Laws and Crimes Not Covered by the Penal Code

California’s Penal Code does not address all criminal acts that might occur in the state. Two other codes cover a significant portion of the law in California:

The California Health and Safety Code

California’s Health and Safety Code deals with all of the drug laws used in California. Drug crime charges are handled under the Health and Safety Code.

The California Vehicle Code

California uses a Vehicle Code to address matters relating to:

Motorists
Motor vehicles
Traffic matters

The Vehicle Code handles traffic violations, from minor traffic infractions to charges for driving under the influence (DUI). In total, there are 29 different codes that make up the entirety of California law.

Examples of California’s Penal Code

There are many acts covered by California’s Legal Code, including:

Getting Professional Help to Understand California’s Penal Code

Many people do not think about the California Penal Code until they are facing criminal charges. The complicated nature of the Penal Code can be confusing without professional help. The lawyers at the Simmrin Law Group have spent years studying the ins and outs of the Penal Code.

We offer a free initial case evaluation for all charges related to Penal Code violations in Los Angeles. Give us a call or complete our online contact form if you are facing a charge under the California Penal Code.