Chapter 2Veterans’ Organizations and Insignia

Section § 1820

Explanation

This law makes it illegal for anyone to intentionally wear or use badges or other insignia from certain veterans' organizations unless they have permission to do so. If someone is caught doing this without authorization, they can be fined up to $500 or jailed for up to 30 days for the first offense. If they do it again, the penalties increase to a fine of up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail, or both. This law doesn't stop other legal actions from being taken for related violations.

(a)CA Military and Veterans Code § 1820(a) Any person who willfully wears or uses the badge, lapel button, rosette, or other recognized and estimable insignia of the veterans’ organizations specified in subdivision (a) of Section 1800, unless they are entitled to wear or use it under the rules and regulations and with the express permission of the veterans’ organizations specified in subdivision (a) of Section 1800, is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable for a first conviction by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days in the county jail, or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500), except that if the person has been previously convicted of a violation of this section, that conviction shall be specified in the accusation and if found to be true or admitted by the person, a second or succeeding violation of this section is punishable by imprisonment not to exceed six months in the county jail, or a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both fine and imprisonment.
(b)CA Military and Veterans Code § 1820(b) Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution for violation of any other law.
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(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 129, Sec. 112. (SB 1097) Effective January 1, 2025.)

Section § 1821

Explanation

If someone pretends to be someone else in a way that's described in another specific section of the Penal Code, they can be charged with either a minor crime (misdemeanor) or even less serious (infraction), depending on what's detailed in that Penal Code section.

A person who falsely represents themself in a manner specified in Section 532b of the Penal Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor or infraction, as prescribed by Section 532b of the Penal Code.
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(Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 129, Sec. 113. (SB 1097) Effective January 1, 2025.)