Every person who gives or offers to give a bribe to any judicial officer, juror, referee, arbitrator, or umpire, or to any person who may be authorized by law to hear or determine any question or controversy, with intent to influence his vote, opinion, or decision upon any matter or question which is or may be brought before him for decision, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three or four years.
Of Crimes Against Public JusticeBribery and Corruption
Section § 92
If someone tries to bribe a judge, juror, or anyone else who has legal authority to make decisions on disputes, aiming to sway their decision, they can face a prison sentence of two to four years.
bribery judicial officer bribe juror influence
Section § 93
This California law says that if a judge, juror, or anyone else authorized to make legal decisions takes or agrees to take a bribe to influence their decision, they can be sentenced to 2-4 years in prison. If they didn't actually receive a bribe, they have to pay a fine between $2,000 and $10,000. If they did receive a bribe, the fine will be at least as much as the bribe but could be twice as much or more up to $10,000. The judge sets the fine based on the person's ability to pay.
(a)CA Penal Law Code § 93(a) Every judicial officer, juror, referee, arbitrator, or umpire, and every person authorized by law to hear or determine any question or controversy, who asks, receives, or agrees to receive, any bribe, upon any agreement or understanding that his or her vote, opinion, or decision upon any matters or question which is or may be brought before him or her for decision, shall be influenced thereby, is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or four years and, in cases where no bribe has been actually received, by a
restitution fine of not less than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or, in cases where a bribe was actually received, by a restitution fine of at least the actual amount of the bribe received or two thousand dollars ($2,000), whichever is greater, or any larger amount of not more than double the amount of any bribe received or ten thousand dollars ($10,000), whichever is greater.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 93(b) In imposing a restitution fine under this section, the court shall consider the defendant’s ability to pay the fine.
judicial bribery influence on decision-making bribe punishment
Section § 94
This law makes it illegal for judicial officers to accept any unauthorized gifts or rewards for performing their duties. If they do, they commit a misdemeanor. The authorized pay for temporary judges is set by the Judicial Council. Additionally, judicial officers cannot take any part of the fees meant for court reporters or stenographers, and doing so results in a misdemeanor conviction and loss of their position. Similarly, if court reporters or stenographers offer to pay to secure or keep their jobs, they are committing a misdemeanor and will be permanently barred from such positions in the state courts.
Every judicial officer who asks or receives any emolument, gratuity, or reward, or any promise thereof, except such as may be authorized by law, for doing any official act, is guilty of a misdemeanor. The lawful compensation of a temporary judge shall be prescribed by Judicial Council rule. Every judicial officer who shall ask or receive the whole or any part of the fees allowed by law to any stenographer or reporter appointed by him or her, or any other person, to record the proceedings of any court or investigation held by him or her, shall be guilty of a
misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall forfeit his or her office. Any stenographer or reporter, appointed by any judicial officer in this state, who shall pay, or offer to pay, the whole or any part of the fees allowed him or her by law, for his or her appointment or retention in office, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be forever disqualified from holding any similar office in the courts of this state.
judicial officer misconduct unauthorized gifts temporary judge compensation
Section § 94.5
This law makes it illegal for any current judge, justice, commissioner, or assistant commissioner in California to accept any form of payment or gift for performing a marriage ceremony, regardless of when the payment is made or whether it was offered willingly. This rule applies even if there was no intention of extortion or any other criminal intent.
However, the law allows for exceptions such as fees that are legally required or for retired judges and commissioners accepting fees. Also, accepting fees for performing marriages on weekends and legal holidays is permitted.
Every judge, justice, commissioner, or assistant commissioner of a court of this state who accepts any money or other thing of value for performing any marriage, including any money or thing of value voluntarily tendered by the persons about to be married or who have been married by such judge, justice, commissioner, or assistant commissioner, whether the acceptance occurs before or after performance of the marriage and whether or not performance of the marriage is conditioned on the giving of such money or the thing of value by the persons being married, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
It is not a necessary element
of the offense described by this section that the acceptance of the money or other thing of value be committed with intent to commit extortion or with other criminal intent.
This section does not apply to the request for or acceptance of a fee expressly imposed by law for performance of a marriage or to the request or acceptance by any retired judge, retired justice, or retired commissioner of a fee for the performance of a marriage. For the purposes of this section, a retired judge or retired justice sitting on assignment in court shall not be deemed to be a retired judge or retired justice.
This section does not apply to an acceptance of a fee for performing a marriage on Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday.
marriage ceremony payment gift acceptance prohibition judicial misconduct
Section § 95
This law states that anyone who tries to improperly influence a juror, arbitrator, umpire, or referee regarding their decision in a case can face a fine up to $10,000 or imprisonment. Such influence includes unwarranted communication, showing unauthorized materials, making threats, or offering any promises or benefits.
Every person who corruptly attempts to influence a juror, or any person summoned or drawn as a juror, or chosen as an arbitrator or umpire, or appointed a referee, in respect to his or her verdict in, or decision of, any cause or proceeding, pending, or about to be brought before him or her, is punishable by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision
(h) of Section 1170, if it is by means of any of the following:
(a)CA Penal Law Code § 95(a) Any oral or written communication with him or her except in the regular course of proceedings.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 95(b) Any book, paper, or instrument exhibited, otherwise than in the regular course of proceedings.
(c)CA Penal Law Code § 95(c) Any threat, intimidation, persuasion, or entreaty.
(d)CA Penal Law Code § 95(d) Any promise, or assurance of any pecuniary or other advantage.
juror influence improper communication threats to jurors
Section § 95.1
This law makes it a crime for anyone to threaten a juror involved in a criminal case, especially if they have the intent and ability to make the threat real, causing the juror or their family to fear for their safety. The punishment could be up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $10,000, or both. More severe imprisonment terms might apply as outlined in another section.
Every person who threatens a juror with respect to a criminal proceeding in which a verdict has been rendered and who has the intent and apparent ability to carry out the threat so as to cause the target of the threat to reasonably fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her immediate family, is guilty of a public offense and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more
than one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170, or by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
threatening a juror criminal proceeding intent to harm
Section § 95.2
This law states that it's illegal for someone to share sealed court records with a defendant or former defendant from a criminal case if they know who the parties are and the records are sealed. This applies specifically if the goal is to locate or talk to a juror from that case, especially if it leads to illegal communication like interfering with the juror. Doing so is considered a misdemeanor. There are exceptions if another law or court order allows it, and following specific legal procedures can count as court permission.
Any person who, with knowledge of the relationship of the parties and without court authorization and juror consent, intentionally provides a defendant or former defendant to any criminal proceeding information from records sealed by the court pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 237 of the Code of Civil Procedure, knowing that the records have been sealed, in order to locate or communicate with a juror to that proceeding and that information is used to violate Section 95 or 95.1, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Except as otherwise provided by any other law or
court order limiting communication with a juror after a verdict has been reached, compliance with Section 206 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall constitute court authorization.
sealed court records defendant information juror communication
Section § 95.3
This law makes it a misdemeanor for someone with certain business licenses to knowingly help a defendant in a criminal case find or talk to a juror from that case without the court's approval and the juror's consent. If convicted, the person's business license can be revoked or suspended. The law does allow communication with jurors after the trial, but only if other legal provisions or a court order allow it.
Any person licensed pursuant to Chapter 11.5 (commencing with Section 7512) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code who, with knowledge of the relationship of the parties and without court authorization and juror consent, knowingly provides a defendant or former defendant to any criminal proceeding information in order to locate or communicate with a juror to that proceeding is guilty of a misdemeanor. Conviction under this section shall be a basis for revocation or suspension of any license issued pursuant to Section 7561.1 of the Business and
Professions Code. Except as otherwise provided by any law or court order limiting communication with a juror after a verdict has been reached, compliance with Section 206 of the Code of Civil Procedure shall constitute court authorization.
juror contact prohibition defendant communication licensed professionals
Section § 96
If you are serving as a juror, arbitrator, umpire, or referee, you cannot promise to decide a case in favor of one side or let someone improperly influence you by giving you information about the case. If you do, you could face a fine of up to $10,000 or be sent to prison.
Every juror, or person drawn or summoned as a juror, or chosen arbitrator or umpire, or appointed referee, who either:
One—Makes any promise or agreement to give a verdict or decision for or against any party; or,
Two—Willfully and
corruptly permits any communication to be made to him, or receives any book, paper, instrument, or information relating to any cause or matter pending before him, except according to the regular course of proceedings,
is punishable by fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170.
juror misconduct verdict promise jury tampering
Section § 96.5
This law states that any judge or similar court official who knowingly acts in a way that corrupts or blocks the fair process of justice can be charged with a crime. If found guilty, they can be sentenced to up to one year in a county jail.
The law also clarifies that this does not prevent them from being charged under other related laws, such as criminal conspiracy.
(a)CA Penal Law Code § 96.5(a) Every judicial officer, court commissioner, or referee who commits any act that he or she knows perverts or obstructs justice, is guilty of a public offense punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year.
(b)CA Penal Law Code § 96.5(b) Nothing in this section prohibits prosecution under paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 182 of the Penal Code or any other law.
judicial misconduct court commissioner referee
Section § 98
If an officer is found guilty of a crime mentioned in this chapter, not only will they face the usual penalties, but they will also lose their current position and will never be allowed to hold any office in the state again.
Every officer convicted of any crime defined in this Chapter, in addition to the punishment prescribed, forfeits his office and is forever disqualified from holding any office in this State.
officer disqualification forfeiture of office convicted officer
Section § 99
The Superintendent of State Printing cannot have any financial interest in contracts related to state printing or any related activities while in office. This includes printing, binding, engraving, or supplying materials like paper. If the Superintendent violates these rules, they can be fined between $1,000 to $10,000 and could face imprisonment.
The Superintendent of State Printing shall not, during his continuance in office, have any interest, either directly or indirectly, in any contract in any way connected with his office as Superintendent of State Printing; nor shall he, during said period, be interested, either directly or indirectly, in any state printing, binding, engraving, lithographing, or other state work of any kind connected
with his said office; nor shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested in any contract for furnishing paper, or other printing stock or material, to or for use in his said office; and any violations of these provisions shall subject him, on conviction before a court of competent jurisdiction, to imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 and to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.
Superintendent of State Printing state printing contracts conflict of interest
Section § 100
This law states that if the Superintendent of State Printing engages in corrupt actions, like colluding secretly with others involved in providing or bidding on materials to cheat or cause financial loss to the state, they will lose their job. They could also face prison time and a fine ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, or both penalties.
If the Superintendent of State Printing corruptly colludes with any person or persons furnishing paper or materials, or bidding therefor, or with any other person or persons, or has any secret understanding with him or them, by himself or through others, to defraud the state, or by which the state is defrauded or made to sustain a loss, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this chapter, he, upon conviction thereof, forfeits his office, and is subject to imprisonment in the state prison, and to a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both such fine and
imprisonment.
Superintendent of State Printing corrupt collusion bidding fraud
