CA Bus & Prof Code Section 7520.1

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person engaging in a business as a private investigator who violates Section 7520 is guilty of an infraction subject to the procedures described in Sections 19.6 and 19.7 of the Penal Code under either of the following circumstances:

(1)

A complaint or a written notice to appear in court pursuant to Chapter 5c (commencing with Section 853.5) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code is filed in court charging the offense as an infraction unless the defendant, at the time he or she is arraigned, after being advised of his or her rights, elects to have the case proceed as a misdemeanor.

(2)

The court, with the consent of the defendant and the prosecution, determines that the offense is an infraction in which event the case shall proceed as if the defendant has been arraigned on an infraction complaint.

(b)

This section does not apply to a violation of Section 7520 if the defendant has had his or her license previously revoked or suspended.

(c)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a violation of Section 7520, which is an infraction, is punishable by a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000). No portion of the fine may be suspended by the court unless as a condition of that suspension the defendant is required to submit proof of a current valid license for the profession of private investigator which was the basis for his or her conviction.