{"id":2330,"date":"2025-05-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/legal-definition-of-an-infraction-in-california-law\/"},"modified":"2025-05-20T17:33:36","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T17:33:36","slug":"legal-definition-of-an-infraction-in-california-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/infractions\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Infractions&#8221; in California Law"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div class=\"youtubeiFrame\" data-iframeurl=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dbVPF6zZq7Y?autoplay=1&#038;rel=0\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtubeImg\"\n             data-title=\"\"\n             src=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/dbVPF6zZq7Y\/0.jpg\" alt=\"\"\n             width=\"560\" height=\"315\"\n             srcset=\"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/dbVPF6zZq7Y\/0.jpg\"\n        >\n        <span class=\"video-preview-icon\"> \n            <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" version=\"1.1\" id=\"Layer_1\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 459 459\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 459 459;\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                <g>\n                    <g>\n                        <path d=\"M229.5,0C102.751,0,0,102.751,0,229.5S102.751,459,229.5,459S459,356.249,459,229.5S356.249,0,229.5,0z M310.292,239.651    l-111.764,76.084c-3.761,2.56-8.63,2.831-12.652,0.704c-4.022-2.128-6.538-6.305-6.538-10.855V153.416    c0-4.55,2.516-8.727,6.538-10.855c4.022-2.127,8.891-1.857,12.652,0.704l111.764,76.084c3.359,2.287,5.37,6.087,5.37,10.151    C315.662,233.564,313.652,237.364,310.292,239.651z\"><\/path>\n                    <\/g>\n                <\/g>\n            <\/svg> \n        <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    \n<div class=\"new-article\">\n<p>In California, an <strong>infraction<\/strong> is a minor violation of the law. Unlike <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/laws\/misdemeanor\/\">misdemeanors<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/laws\/felony\/\">felonies<\/a>, <strong>infractions<\/strong> are not crimes and carry no jail or prison time. Instead, you face a civil fine of up to $250.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes misdemeanors can be reduced to <strong>infractions<\/strong> as part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/blog\/plea-bargain\/\">plea bargain<\/a>. This way, you avoid a criminal record and the risk of jail time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-174024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crimes.png\" alt=\"Graphic that shows that California infractions carry no jail time while misdemeanors do carry the risk of jail\" width=\"1049\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crimes.png 1049w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crimes-300x145.png 300w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crimes-1024x494.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crimes-768x370.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1049px) 100vw, 1049px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In this article, our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/\">California criminal defense attorneys<\/a> discuss the following topics:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"article-nav bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"#1\">1. What are infractions?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2\">2. Jail<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#3\">3. Infraction v. Misdemeanor<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#4\">4. Plea Bargains<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#5\">5. Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#6\">Additional Reading<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wistia_embed\" title=\"PODCAST: \" src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.net\/embed\/iframe\/j4kmhti7ci?seo=true&amp;videoFoam=true\" name=\"wistia_embed\" width=\"100%\" height=\"218px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.net\/assets\/external\/E-v1.js\" async><\/script><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"1\">1. What are infractions?<\/h2>\n<p>An infraction is one type of offense in California&#8217;s criminal justice system. It is punishable by a fine of up to $250.<\/p>\n<p>In total, there are three general types of crimes in California. The three are:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Infractions<\/strong>. These are the least serious offenses. They mostly include traffic violations.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Misdemeanors<\/strong>. These are crimes punishable by a maximum of one year in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/jails\/\">county jail<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Felonies<\/strong>. These are the most serious offenses. They are punishable by more than one year in jail or a sentence to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdcr.ca.gov\/facility-locator\/\">state prison<\/a>.<sup class=\"fn\">1<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Unlike some misdemeanors and felonies, infractions do <em>not<\/em> cause non-citizens to lose their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/immigration\/\">immigration<\/a> status.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 500px; height: 334px;\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/law-media\/uploads\/131\/68037\/large\/police_traffic_ticket_officer_ss.jpg?1551483146\" alt=\"police officer issuing a ticket to a driver they pulled over for a traffic stop\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" data-remove=\"true\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Infractions are the least serious class of offenses in California.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"2\">2. Jail<\/h2>\n<p>Infraction convictions in California do not carry jail or prison time. They also do not cause a person to be placed on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/probation\/\">probation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Because infractions do not carry a risk of incarceration, there is no right to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/process\/jury-trial\/\">jury trial<\/a>.<sup class=\"fn\">2<\/sup> Instead, you can fight infractions with a &#8220;bench trial&#8221; where a judge determines guilt.<\/p>\n<p>Further, you can hire a defense attorney to assist in the matter. However, the state is not required to appoint a public defender if you cannot afford one.<\/p>\n<p><em>See our related article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/40515\/\">failure to appear on traffic infractions (40515 VC)<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_174051\" style=\"width: 1510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-174051\" class=\"size-full wp-image-174051\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/handcuffs_ss.jpg\" alt=\"Judge's gavel and handcuffs on a wooden table\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/handcuffs_ss.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/handcuffs_ss-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/handcuffs_ss-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/handcuffs_ss-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-174051\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Misdemeanors carry jail as a possible penalty. Infractions do not.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"3\">3. Infraction v. Misdemeanor<\/h2>\n<p>In California, misdemeanors are more serious offenses than infractions because possible penalties include not only fines: A misdemeanor also carries up to one year in jail.<sup class=\"fn\">3<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>There are some crimes (&#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/laws\/wobbler\/\">wobblettes<\/a>&#8220;) that prosecutors can charge as either an infraction or a misdemeanor depending on your:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>criminal history and<\/li>\n<li>severity of your alleged offense.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>The following table compares infractions and misdemeanors:<\/p>\n<table class=\"has-border\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>CALIFORNIA LAW<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Misdemeanor<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Infraction<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Type of Offense<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Criminal<\/td>\n<td>Civil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Potential incarceration<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Up to 1 year in jail<\/td>\n<td>No jail time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Fines<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Up to $1,000 (in most cases)<\/td>\n<td>Up to $250 (in most cases)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Right to Jury Trial<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Right to Public Defender<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Yes (if you cannot afford a lawyer)<\/td>\n<td>No<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Arrest and Booking<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Yes<\/td>\n<td>No, just a citation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Examples<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/penal-code\/484\/\">Petty theft<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/penal-code\/240\/\">simple assault<\/a><\/td>\n<td>Traffic tickets, noise violations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div id=\"attachment_174052\" style=\"width: 1510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-174052\" class=\"size-full wp-image-174052\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cop-car_ss.jpg\" alt=\"Police officer in a police car talking on a radio after giving out an infraction citation\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cop-car_ss.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cop-car_ss-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cop-car_ss-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/cop-car_ss-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-174052\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Most moving violations are infractions.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"4\">4. Plea Bargains<\/h2>\n<p>California courts have the authority to reduce some misdemeanors to infractions.<sup class=\"fn\">4<\/sup>\u00a0The prosecutor also has authority to reduce charges, which typically happens through a plea agreement with defense counsel.<\/p>\n<p>A reduction can even\u00a0happen if a crime is not a wobblette. This means even straight misdemeanors can get reduced to infractions.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><strong>Example: <\/strong>Paco is charged with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/penal-code\/484\/\">petty theft<\/a> after stealing his neighbor&#8217;s watch. This crime is a straight misdemeanor in California. Since it is Paco&#8217;s first case and he shows remorse, the D.A. agrees to reduce the charge to an infraction. <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Some common misdemeanors that get reduced to infractions are:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/penal-code\/415\/\">disturbing the peace (415 PC)<\/a>,<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/penal-code\/485\/\">theft of lost property (485 PC)<\/a>, and<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/penal-code\/602\/\">trespassing (602 PC)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 500px; height: 331px;\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/law-media\/uploads\/131\/56930\/large\/motorcycle_cop_ticket_ss.jpg?1534548325\" alt=\"closeup of police motorcycle while the officer issues a speeding ticket\" width=\"500\" height=\"331\" data-remove=\"true\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Infractions are punishable by a fine and no jail time.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"5\">5. Examples<\/h2>\n<p>Most infractions in California are traffic or moving violations. Some examples are:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/22350\/\">speeding (22350 VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/22100-5\/\">illegal U-turn (22100.5 VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/21453\/\">running a red light (21453 VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/21209\/\">driving on a bike lane (21209 VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/21651\/\">crossing a divided highway (21651a VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/21750\/\">unsafe passing (21750 \u2013 21759 VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/ca\/defense\/vehicle-code\/26708\/\">window tinting (26708 VC)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_174053\" style=\"width: 1510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-174053\" class=\"size-full wp-image-174053\" src=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/infraction1_ss.jpg\" alt=\"Police officer arguing with a pedestrian over a citation against a white background\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/infraction1_ss.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/infraction1_ss-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/infraction1_ss-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/infraction1_ss-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-174053\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Police issue citations for infractions. Suspects are not arrested.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 id=\"6\">Additional Reading<\/h2>\n<p>For more in-depth information, refer to these scholarly articles:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/udetmr80&amp;div=28&amp;id=&amp;page=\"> <span class=\"cite_title\"> Disbursement of Fines and Costs in Civil Infraction Cases<\/span><\/a> &#8211; <em>The University of Law Mercy Law Review<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=2475&amp;context=buffalolawreview\">Criminal Procedure\u2014The Inapplicability of General Principles of Search and Seizure Incident to a Lawful Arrest to Those Arrested for Traffic Infractions<\/a> &#8211; <em>Buffalo Law Review<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/gpsolo36&amp;div=15&amp;id=&amp;page=\"> <span class=\"cite_title\"> Civil Fines and the Cycle of Poverty<\/span><\/a> &#8211; <em>GPSolo<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/heinonline.org\/HOL\/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals\/nylr66&amp;div=15&amp;id=&amp;page=\"> <span class=\"cite_title\"> United States v. Halper, Punitive Civil Fines, and the Double Jeopardy and Excessive Fines Clauses<\/span><\/a> &#8211; <em>NYU Law Review<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.journals.uchicago.edu\/doi\/abs\/10.1086\/467706?journalCode=jls\">Criminal Violations and Civil Violations<\/a> &#8211; <em>The Journal of Legal Studies<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4>Legal References:<\/h4>\n<div class=\"footnotes\">\n<ol>\n<li id=\"fn:1\"><a id=\"insertion_211530\" class=\"insertion link\" href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=16.&amp;lawCode=PEN&amp;preview=true&amp;site_id=312\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-insertion-id=\"211530\">California Penal Code 16 PC<\/a>. See, for example, <span class=\"SS_LeftAlign\"><span class=\"SS_EditorialContent\"><a href=\"https:\/\/case-law.vlex.com\/vid\/people-v-walker-b251600-887238627\"> People v. Walker (Cal. App. 2d Dist. 2015) 237 Cal. App. 4th 111<\/a>; People v. Hamilton (Cal. App. Dep&#8217;t Super. Ct. 1986) 191 Cal. App. 3d Supp. 13. <a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=19.8.&amp;lawCode=PEN\">19.8 PC<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li id=\"fn:2\">Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.<\/li>\n<li id=\"fn:3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=19.&amp;lawCode=PEN\">California Penal Code 19 PC<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li id=\"fn:4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=17.&amp;lawCode=PEN\">California Penal Code 17(d) PC<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In California, an infraction is a minor violation of the law. Unlike misdemeanors and felonies, infractions are not crimes and carry no jail or prison time. Instead, you face a civil fine of up to $250. Sometimes misdemeanors can be reduced to infractions as part of a plea bargain. This way, you avoid a criminal &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":10961,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"hc_page_category":[],"hc_faqs":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2330","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"hc_city_location-california","6":"entry","7":"has-post-thumbnail"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2330\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10961"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"hc_page_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hc_page_category?post=2330"},{"taxonomy":"hc_faqs","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shouselaw.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hc_faqs?post=2330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}