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HomeMilitary and Veterans CodeDiv. 2Pt. 1Ch. 8Art. 1§ 421 Military Property Theft Penalties

§ 421 Military Property Theft Penalties

Military and Veterans Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 421 Military Property Theft Penalties

This law makes it a crime to hide, sell, or keep military gear that belongs to the state or U.S. if its value is $950 or more, otherwise it's a lesser crime.

Key Takeaways

  • •Only property valued at $950 or more results in a felony charge.
  • •Property worth less than $950 results in a misdemeanor charge.
  • •The law applies when a commissioned officer demands the property or when the militia is called into state service.

Example

A National Guard member tries to pawn his state-issued uniform after being ordered to report for duty.

If the uniform is worth $1,200, he commits a felony; if it is worth $300, he only commits a misdemeanor.

How to Calculate

Value threshold = $950

  1. Determine the monetary value of the military or naval property involved.
  2. Compare that value to $950.
  3. If the value is $950 or more, the offense is a felony; if less than $950, it is a misdemeanor.

Property value of $1,500

Result: Since $1,500 >= $950, the offense is a felony.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 421 Military Property Theft Penalties

Any person who secretes, sells, disposes of, offers for sale, purchases, retains after demand made by a commissioned officer of the National Guard or of the unorganized militia when called into the service of the state or Naval Militia, or in any manner pawns or pledges any arms, uniforms, equipment, or military or naval property of the state or of the United States, or of any organization of the active militia or of the unorganized militia when called into the service of the state is guilty of a felony if said arms, uniforms, equipments, or military or naval property of the state or of the United States is of a value of nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) or more, otherwise such person is guilty of a misdemeanor. (Amended by Stats. 2009, 3rd Ex. Sess., Ch. 28, Sec. 5. (SB 18 3x) Effective January 25, 2010.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

felonymisdemeanorarmsuniformsequipmentmilitary or naval propertyNational Guardunorganized militiaNaval Militiaactive militia$950

Related Statutes

  • § 410 Militia Supply Requirements
  • § 120 State Militia Composition
  • § 411 County Funding For Militia
  • § 416 Military Pay Deductions
  • § 423 Military Uniform Parade Restrictions

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Military and Veterans Code. Section 421.
View Official Source