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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 15Ch. 13§ 31901 Cumulative Penalties Prohibited

§ 31901 Cumulative Penalties Prohibited

Financial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 31901 Cumulative Penalties Prohibited

Key Takeaways

  • •This law adds to other rules the commissioner can use to punish people who break the rules.
  • •If you break a rule in Chapter 12, you can’t be punished twice for the same mistake—either you pay a fine or go to court, but not both.
  • •If you’ve already been found guilty in court for breaking a rule in Chapter 12, you won’t have to pay an extra fine for it.
  • •If you’ve already paid a fine for breaking a rule in Chapter 12, you won’t get in criminal trouble for the same thing.

Example

Imagine you got caught speeding in a work zone, and the police gave you a ticket. Later, the same people try to fine you again for the exact same speeding.

This law says that can’t happen. You either pay the first fine or go to court, but they can’t make you pay twice for the same speeding ticket.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 31901 Cumulative Penalties Prohibited

The provisions of Section 31900 are additional to, and not alternative to, other provisions of this division which authorize the commissioner to issue orders or to take other action on account of a violation of any provision of this division or of any regulation or order issued under this division; provided, however, that no person who has been finally convicted under Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 31800) of this division on account of a violation of any provision of Chapter 12 shall be liable to pay a civil penalty under Section 31900 on account of such violation, nor shall any person who has paid a civil penalty under Section 31900 on account of a violation of any provision of Chapter 12 be liable to criminal prosecution under Chapter 12 on account of such violation. (Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1064, Sec. 699. Effective January 1, 1997. Operative July 1, 1997.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

violationregulationcrimecommissionpenaltyif someoneoperative julyprosecution

Related Statutes

  • § 31900 Civil Penalty Authority
  • § 31112 Referral Criminal Proceedings
  • § 23051 Commissioner Enforcement Authority
  • § 28172 Civil Penalty Enforcement
  • § 31152.5 Fraud Convictions Affecting Licensing

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 31901.
View Official Source