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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 9Ch. 2§ 12161 Wildlife Forfeiture Orders

§ 12161 Wildlife Forfeiture Orders

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

§ 12161 Wildlife Forfeiture Orders

This law says that if someone is convicted of illegally taking, possessing, selling, importing, or moving wildlife or plants, the judge must order that the illegal items be taken away and dealt with, either by selling them, donating them, or destroying them if they’re worth less than $100.

Key Takeaways

  • •A judge must order forfeiture of illegal wildlife or plants after a conviction.
  • •The items are disposed of according to Section 12160.
  • •If the items can’t be sold legally or are worth less than $100, the judge can donate them to a public or charitable group or have them destroyed.

Example

A person is caught smuggling exotic turtles across state lines.

Because the turtles are illegal wildlife, the judge will order the turtles to be taken away. If they can be sold legally and are worth more than $100, they may be sold; if not, the judge can choose to give them to a zoo or destroy them.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12161 Wildlife Forfeiture Orders

The judge before whom any person is tried for taking, possessing, selling, importing, or transporting birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians or parts thereof contrary to the laws of this state shall upon the conviction of the accused make an order forfeiting and disposing of the birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians, or parts thereof, in accordance with the provisions of Section 12160. However, if the birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians, or parts thereof may not be sold lawfully or have a current market value of less than one hundred dollars ($100), the judge may at his or her discretion order that they be donated to a state, county, city, or any charitable institution, or that they be destroyed. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 294, Sec. 31. (AB 1442) Effective January 1, 2010.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

forfeiting and disposingSection 12160donateddestroyed

Related Statutes

  • § 12164 Trespassing Wildlife Confiscation
  • § 10770 Fish And Game Refuge
  • § 10771 San Francisco Fish Refuge Boundaries
  • § 10801 Pacific Grove Fish Refuge
  • § 10820 Game Refuges Designation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 12161.
View Official Source