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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 2Ch. 9Art. 20§ 4321 Penalties For Violations

§ 4321 Penalties For Violations

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 4321 Penalties For Violations

Key Takeaways

  • •If you break a rule in this chapter on purpose, you can get in big trouble: pay $200 to $2000, go to jail for 30 days to 6 months, or both.
  • •If you break a rule by accident, you might have to pay up to $1000, but you won’t go to jail.
  • •The punishment depends on whether you knew you were breaking the rule or not.

Example

If you dump trash in a river even though you know it’s illegal, you could be fined up to $2000 or even go to jail for up to 6 months.

This is because you broke the rule on purpose, so it’s a bigger punishment.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 4321 Penalties For Violations

(a) Any person who knowingly violates any of the provisions of this chapter, when no other penalty is provided, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars ($200), and not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), or by imprisonment of not less than 30 days nor exceeding six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) In all other instances, any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, when no other penalty is provided, is guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction thereof may be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). (Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 549, Sec. 125. Effective January 1, 1998.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

convictionimprisonmentinfractionpenaltyfinemisdemeanor

Related Statutes

  • § 4322 Licensing Fraud Penalties
  • § 7028 Contractor Licensing Violations
  • § 7118.5 Asbestos Contractor Penalties
  • § 7189 Asbestos Certification Penalties
  • § 21645 Knowing Violation Penalties

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 4321.
View Official Source