Section 802.
Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 802.
in effect(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (b), (c), (d), or (e), prosecution for an offense not punishable by death or imprisonment in the state prison or pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 shall be commenced within one year after commission of the offense.
(b)
Prosecution for a misdemeanor violation of Section 647.6 or former Section 647a committed with or upon a minor under 14 years of age shall be commenced within three years after commission of the offense.
(c)
Prosecution of a misdemeanor violation of Section 729 of the Business and Professions Code shall be commenced within two years after commission of
the offense.
(d)
Prosecution of a misdemeanor violation of Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code shall be commenced as follows:
(1)
With respect to Sections 7028.17, 7068.5, and 7068.7 of the Business and Professions Code, within one year of the commission of the offense.
(2)
With respect to Sections 7027.1, 7028.1, 7028.15, 7118.4, 7118.5, 7118.6, 7126, 7153, 7156, 7157, 7158, 7159.5 (licensee only), 7159.14 (licensee only), 7161, and 7189 of the Business and Professions Code, within two years of the commission of the offense.
(3)
With respect to Sections 7027.3 and 7028.16 of the Business and
Professions Code, within three years of the commission of the offense.
(4)
With respect to Sections 7028, 7159.5 (nonlicensee only), and 7159.14 (nonlicensee only) of the Business and Professions Code, within four years of the commission of the offense.
(e)
(1)
Prosecution for a misdemeanor violation of Section 6126, 10085.6, 10139, or 10147.6 of the Business and Professions Code or Section 2944.6 or 2944.7 of the Civil Code shall be commenced within three years after discovery of the commission of the offense, or within three years after completion of the offense, whichever is
later.
(2)
Prosecution for a misdemeanor violation of subdivisions (b) and (e) of Section 119 of the Business and Professions Code, by parties licensed or subject to licensure pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3 of that code, within three years after discovery of the commission of the offense, or within three years after completion of the offense, whichever is later.
References
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 729.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7000.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7028.17.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7068.5.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7068.7.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7027.3.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 7028.16.
referencesCal. Business and Professions Code - BPC § 119.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1170.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 647.6.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 647a.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 7027.1.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 7028.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 6126.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 2944.6.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 7000.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026