WHAT THE WORDS MEAN

Also called 5150, psychiatric hold, taken in for an evaluation

Custody of up to 72 hours for assessment, evaluation and crisis intervention, taken on probable cause when a person, as a result of a mental health disorder, is a danger to others or to themselves, or gravely disabled. The 72 hours begin when the person is first detained.

Also called trespass, trespassing

Entering or remaining in someone's dwelling without consent while a resident or another authorized person is present, punishable by up to one year in county jail.

Also called two party consent, recording a call

The consent of all parties, which California requires to record a confidential communication.

Also called simple assault

An unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on another person.

Also called bail amount

The county's uniform list of bail amounts, which sets bail before a defendant has appeared before a judge when no warrant names an amount.

Also called speed limit

The rule against driving on a highway faster than is reasonable or prudent given the weather, visibility, traffic and the road, and in no event at a speed that endangers people or property.

Also called simple battery

Any willful and unlawful use of force or violence on another person, punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.

Also called data breach, breach notice

What the section requires a business to disclose to each affected resident within 30 calendar days of discovery or notification of the breach. If more than 500 California residents are notified from a single breach, a sample copy of the notice goes to the Attorney General.

Also called marijuana, weed

Lawful at 21 years of age or older to possess, transport or give away not more than 28.5 grams, and not more than eight grams of concentrated cannabis, and to grow not more than six living plants.

Also called car seat, booster seat

The rear seat restraint a child under eight years of age rides in, rear facing under two unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall.

Also called restraining order

A court order against unlawful violence, a credible threat of violence, or a course of harassing conduct, which can last up to five years after a hearing.

Also called public intoxication, drunk in public

Custody in which an officer, if reasonably able to, takes a person found intoxicated in public to a designated facility for 72 hour treatment and evaluation.

Also called marital property

Property acquired by a married person during the marriage while living in California, which the court divides equally unless the parties agree otherwise.

Also called private conversation

A communication carried on in circumstances that reasonably indicate a party wants it confined to the parties.

Also called CLRA, consumer fraud

The law listing unfair or deceptive acts unlawful in selling or leasing goods or services to a consumer.

Also called expungement, clearing a record

Withdrawing a guilty plea or setting aside a verdict and dismissing the case after probation ends, releasing the person from the penalties and disabilities of the offense, with exceptions.

Also called disorderly conduct

Unlawfully fighting in public, maliciously disturbing others with loud and unreasonable noise, or using offensive words in public inherently likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction. Up to 90 days in county jail, a fine of up to $400, or both.

Also called DVRO, protective order

An order after a hearing barring abuse, contact and disturbing the peace, which can last up to five years and be renewed without a showing of further abuse.

Also called DUI, drunk driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug, or with 0.08 percent or more of alcohol in the blood. A first conviction carries not less than 96 hours in county jail.

Also called suspended license, driving on a suspended license

Driving while the privilege is suspended or revoked, when the driver knows of it.

Also called breaking a lease

When a tenant breaches and abandons, the landlord recovers future rent only to the extent it exceeds what the tenant proves could reasonably have been avoided.

Also called wage garnishment, garnishment

An order taking part of disposable earnings, at most the lesser of 20 percent, or 40 percent of what exceeds 48 times the minimum hourly wage, in a week.

Also called CalECPA, phone search

The law under which a government entity may get into information on an electronic device only in the ways listed, among them a warrant, a wiretap order, or the specific consent of the device's authorized possessor.

Also called Good Samaritan, first aid at the scene

Medical or nonmedical care or assistance rendered in good faith, and not for compensation, at the scene of an emergency. The person who gives it is not liable for civil damages from any act or omission other than gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

Also called fleeing police

Willfully fleeing a pursuing police vehicle showing a red light and distinctively marked, with a uniformed officer driving. A misdemeanor, up to one year in county jail.

Also called false name, do i have to give my name

Falsely representing oneself as another person or a fictitious person to a peace officer upon a lawful detention or arrest, to evade the process of the court or proper identification. A misdemeanor.

Also called suing the city, claim against a public entity

A claim for death or injury to a person against a public entity, presented not later than six months after the cause of action accrues.

Also called initiation, pledging

Any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body, recognized by the school or not, that is likely to cause serious bodily injury to a former, current or prospective student.

Also called door to door sale, cooling off period

A contract of $25 or more made somewhere other than the seller's normal place of business, which the buyer may cancel until midnight of the third business day after signing.

Also called chemical test, test refusal

A driver lawfully arrested for driving under the influence is deemed to have consented to a chemical test of blood or breath. A refusal with no prior offense within 10 years suspends the privilege to drive for one year.

Also called ticket

An offense classified as an infraction, carrying a fine up to $250 when no other punishment is set.

Also called pre move out inspection

An inspection the tenant may ask for in writing, no earlier than two weeks before the tenancy ends, so there is a chance to fix what the landlord would otherwise deduct for.

Also called see my chart, look at my records

Looking at a patient's records during business hours within five working days after the provider receives the request, with one other person of the patient's choosing.

Also called no fault divorce, dissolution

Differences that have caused the irremediable breakdown of the marriage, one of two grounds for dissolution.

Also called deposit deductions

The statement of the basis for and amount of any security kept, furnished no later than 21 calendar days after the tenant has vacated, with the rest returned.

Also called just cause eviction, Tenant Protection Act

The reason, stated in the written notice, an owner needs to end most tenancies once a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a home for 12 months.

Also called CCW, concealed carry license

The license a county sheriff issues to carry a concealed handgun, to a resident at least 21 years of age who completes the required training.

Also called transporting a gun

How the code lets a handgun travel: unloaded and locked in the trunk or in a locked container in the vehicle.

Also called required reporter, child abuse report

A person who, in a professional capacity or within the scope of employment, knows of or reasonably suspects child abuse or neglect, and reports it by telephone immediately or as soon as practicably possible, with a written follow up within 36 hours.

Also called spousal support, alimony

A marriage of 10 years or more, from marriage to separation, over which the court keeps jurisdiction over support indefinitely.

Also called underage drinking

A person under 21 years of age possessing an alcoholic beverage in a public place, a misdemeanor punished by a fine of $250 or 24 to 32 hours of community service.

Also called search warrant at night

Serving a search warrant outside 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., which a magistrate may authorize for good cause by writing it into the warrant.

Also called ticket, citation

The notice an officer writes for a Vehicle Code violation that is not a felony. Signing it is a written promise to appear, and once the driver signs, the officer releases the driver.

Also called use of force standard

The force a peace officer may use to effect an arrest, prevent escape or overcome resistance. Deadly force is justified only to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury, or to stop a dangerous fleeing felon.

Also called open bottle

An opened bottle, can or other container of an alcoholic beverage, which neither the driver nor a passenger may have in a motor vehicle on a highway.

Also called OR release, bail

Release on a promise to appear, to which a defendant held on a misdemeanor is entitled unless the court finds on the record it would compromise public safety or not reasonably assure appearance.

Also called sick leave, sick time

Leave accruing at not less than one hour for every 30 hours worked, usable beginning on the 90th day of employment.

Also called shoplifting, theft

Theft where the value taken does not exceed $950, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in county jail, or both.

Also called meeting agenda, Brown Act agenda

The list a legislative body posts at least 72 hours before a regular meeting, with a brief general description of each item of business to be transacted or discussed, including items for closed session.

Also called PAS test, roadside breath test

A field sobriety test the officer tells the person can be refused.

Also called CPRA, public records

A request the agency answers within 10 days of receipt, saying whether it seeks disclosable records and when they will be available.

Also called reckless

Driving on a highway or in an offstreet parking facility in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, punished by five to 90 days in county jail, a fine of $145 to $1,000, or both.

Also called fix it myself

The tenant's remedy when the landlord does not repair within a reasonable time after notice: making a repair that costs no more than one month's rent and deducting it from the rent.

Also called resisting arrest, obstruction

Willfully resisting, delaying or obstructing a peace officer in the discharge of a duty, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in county jail, or both.

Also called lemon law refund, lemon law

The refund a manufacturer makes when it cannot repair a new vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts: the price paid, with taxes, fees and incidental damages, less an amount for use.

Also called retaliatory eviction

Evicting, raising the rent or cutting services within 180 days after a tenant, not behind on rent, gives notice to repair or complains about the condition of the home.

Also called landlord entry, 24 hours notice

The landlord's limited right to enter, on reasonable written notice with the date, approximate time and purpose, during normal business hours. Twenty-four hours is presumed reasonable.

Also called debt collector, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

California's debt collection law, reaching anyone who regularly collects covered debts in the ordinary course of business.

Also called anonymous vote

A vote whose result is not tied to the member who cast it. No legislative body of a local agency may take action by secret ballot, whether preliminary or final, and the body publicly reports each member's vote or abstention.

Also called security deposit, deposit, cleaning fee

Any payment, fee, deposit or charge imposed at the beginning of a residential tenancy, including an advance payment of rent, whatever the landlord calls it.

Also called retail theft

Entering an open store during regular business hours intending to steal property worth $950 or less. A misdemeanor.

Also called hands free, phone while driving

The only hand use allowed on a phone while driving: on a device mounted on the windshield, dashboard or console, to activate or deactivate a feature.

Also called small claims court

The court for claims up to $12,500 by a natural person, where no attorney takes part, with narrow exceptions.

Also called course of conduct

Willfully, maliciously and repeatedly following or harassing someone and making a credible threat intended to place them in reasonable fear for their safety.

Also called eviction case, eviction

The court case through which a landlord gets a home back. For unpaid rent it starts with a written notice giving three days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and judicial holidays, to pay or give up possession.

Also called uninhabitable, habitability

Substantially lacking any of the standard characteristics the Civil Code lists, such as weather protection, working plumbing, hot and cold water, heating, or freedom from rodents and vermin.

Also called lockout, self help eviction

Cutting off water, heat, electricity, gas or another utility, changing the locks, or removing doors or windows to end a tenant's occupancy. The landlord owes actual damages and up to $100 for each day it continues.

Also called pay stub

The statement with each payment showing gross and net wages, hours, rates, deductions and the pay period.

Also called final paycheck, last paycheck

Wages that keep running, at the same rate, when an employer willfully fails to pay final wages on time, for not more than 30 days.

Also called felony or misdemeanor

A crime punishable either as a felony or a misdemeanor, in the court's discretion, which becomes a misdemeanor for all purposes in the cases the section lists.

Also called lockout by sheriff

The writ a levying officer serves after the landlord wins. If the occupants have not left within five days of that service, the officer removes them.

Also called under 21 drinking and driving

The rule that a person under 21 may not drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01 percent or more.