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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 9Ch. 1§ 12002 Misdemeanor Penalty Limits

§ 12002 Misdemeanor Penalty Limits

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12002 Misdemeanor Penalty Limits

This law says how much money you can be fined and how long you can go to jail for breaking different rules, and it also says your license or permit can be taken away if you don’t show up in court or pay the fine.

Key Takeaways

  • •Most misdemeanor violations are punishable by up to $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in county jail.
  • •Violations of certain listed sections (like 1059, 4004(b), 4600, etc.) can be punished by up to $2,000 fine and up to 1 year in jail.
  • •If you miss a court hearing or don’t pay a fine, the state can suspend or revoke your license, tag, permit, or other privilege until you resolve the case.

Example

Jane gets a ticket for breaking Section 1059. She doesn’t show up for her court date and also doesn’t pay the fine.

Because Section 1059 is listed in part (b), Jane could be fined up to $2,000, could go to jail for up to one year, and her driver’s license would be suspended until she pays the fine or finishes the court case.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12002 Misdemeanor Penalty Limits

(a) Unless otherwise provided, the punishment for a violation of this code that is a misdemeanor is a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) The punishment for a violation of any of the following provisions is a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000), imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, or both the fine and imprisonment: (1) Section 1059. (2) Subdivision (b) of Section 4004. (3) Section 4600. (4) Paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 5650. (5) A first violation of Section 8670. (6) Section 10500. (7) Unless a greater punishment is otherwise provided, a violation subject to subdivision (a) of Section 12003.1. (c) Except as specified in Sections 12001 and 12010, the punishment for violation of Section 3503, 3503.5, 3513, or 3800 is a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment. (d) (1) A license, tag, stamp, reservation, permit, or other entitlement or privilege issued pursuant to this code to a defendant who fails to appear at a court hearing for a violation of this code, or who fails to pay a fine imposed pursuant to this code, shall be immediately suspended or revoked. The license, tag, stamp, reservation, permit, or other entitlement or privilege shall not be reinstated or renewed, and no other license, tag, stamp, reservation, permit, or other entitlement or privilege shall be issued to that person pursuant to this code, until the court proceeding is completed or the fine is paid. (2) This subdivision does not apply to any violation of Section 1052, 1059, 1170, 5650, 6454, 6650, or 6653.5. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 132, Sec. 210. (AB 1760) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

misdemeanorfineimprisonmentlicensetagstampreservationpermitentitlementprivilege

Related Statutes

  • § 1050.1 License And Fee Requirements
  • § 1052 License Fraud Prohibitions
  • § 12012.5 Commercial Fishing In Protected Areas
  • § 12013.3 Trophy Game Poaching Penalties
  • § 1054.2 Hunting License Possession Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 12002.
View Official Source