CA Penal Code Section 653x

(a)

Any person who telephones the 911 emergency line with the intent to annoy or harass another person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months, or by both the fine and imprisonment. Nothing in this section shall apply to telephone calls made in good faith.

(b)

An intent to annoy or harass is established by proof of repeated calls over a period of time, however short, that are unreasonable under the circumstances.

(c)

Upon conviction of a violation of this section, a person also shall be liable for all reasonable costs incurred by any unnecessary emergency response.

Source: Section 653x, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=653x.­.

Last Updated

Aug. 19, 2023

§ 653x’s source at ca​.gov