§ 19 Misdemeanor Punishment Limits

Penal Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says that if someone breaks a rule that's not super serious (called a misdemeanor), they can go to jail for up to 6 months, pay up to $1,000, or both.

Key Takeaways

•Misdemeanors are small crimes, not big ones like murder.
•The punishment is jail for up to 6 months, a fine up to $1,000, or both.
•Some rules have their own punishments, but this is the usual one.

Example

Someone steals a cheap bike from a store.

If the police catch them, they could go to jail for a little while or have to pay money because stealing a bike is a misdemeanor.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 19 Misdemeanor Punishment Limits

PENAL CODE - PEN PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS ( Preliminary Provisions enacted 1872. ) 19. Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed by any law of this state, every offense declared to be a misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both. (Amended by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1092, Sec. 231. Effective September 27, 1983. Operative January 1, 1984, by Sec. 427 of Ch. 1092.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

misdemeanor imprisonment in the county jail fine one thousand dollars ($1,000)

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Penal Code. Section 19.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

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