What is the penal code 1473?

Asked by: Lemuel McLaughlin DVM  |  Last update: February 22, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (3 votes)

California Penal Code 1473 primarily establishes the right to a writ of habeas corpus for unlawfully imprisoned individuals, allowing challenges to detention, especially concerning false evidence (like introduced perjury or newly discovered material evidence) that likely would have changed the case outcome, providing a path for relief from unjust convictions or restraints on liberty. Related sections like 1473.7 address motions to vacate convictions due to prejudicial immigration consequences, while 1473.6 deals with government official misconduct.

What is the 1473 code?

(a) A person unlawfully imprisoned or restrained of their liberty, under any pretense, may prosecute a writ of habeas corpus to inquire into the cause of the imprisonment or restraint.

What is the Penal Code 1473 PC?

It has been part of legal systems for centuries and is also covered by federal law. In California, specific laws regarding habeas corpus petitions are set forth in Penal Code section 1473. PC 1473 allows someone to file a writ of habeas corpus petition to contest the legality of their detention or imprisonment.

What is the Civil Code 1473?

1473. Full performance of an obligation, by the party whose duty it is to perform it, or by any other person on his behalf, and with his assent, if accepted by the creditor, extinguishes it. (Enacted 1872.)

Is PC 529 a felony or misdemeanor?

California Penal Code (PC) 529, False Impersonation, is a "wobbler" offense, meaning prosecutors can charge it as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the case's specifics and the defendant's criminal history; penalties range from up to a year in jail (misdemeanor) to up to three years in prison (felony), plus fines, notes Kraut Law Group. 

What is a Penal Code section 1473.7 Motion?

22 related questions found

Is it illegal to mock a cop?

Insults are protected by the First Amendment.

It was written to make sure people couldn't be imprisoned just for criticizing, insulting, or poking fun at authorities. This protection has been upheld by several Supreme Court cases, including: 1949, Terminello v. Chicago.

Is misrepresenting yourself a crime?

If you falsely represent yourself as someone you aren't, you could be charged with a criminal offense. In certain circumstances, false personification could actually result in federal criminal charges.

What is a 1473.7 motion?

Penal Code 1473.7 is a rule of criminal procedure that allows individuals who were charged and convicted of a crime—but who are no longer in custody—to ask the court to vacate the judgment against them.

Is 273.5 a serious felony?

Yes, California Penal Code 273.5 (Corporal Injury to a Spouse/Cohabitant) is a serious offense that can be charged as a wobbler, meaning it can be either a misdemeanor or a felony, with felony charges carrying significant penalties like state prison time, heavy fines, and potential "strikes" under California's Three Strikes Law, making it a serious felony in those cases. A felony conviction can lead to 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison, a fine up to $6,000, and loss of gun rights, with increased penalties for prior offenses or if great bodily injury occurs. 

What is 473 relief from default?

Under CCP § 473(b), the court may set aside a default and default judgment if the defendant asking for the set aside presents enough evidence to the court to demonstrate that the default was entered by inadvertence, mistake, surprise, or excusable neglect.

What is a habeas brief?

Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement.

What is the difference between 273a A and 273a B?

California Penal Code (PC) 273a(a) is for severe child endangerment, involving circumstances "likely to produce great bodily harm or death," making it a wobbler (felony or misdemeanor) with harsher penalties, while PC 273a(b) covers less severe situations where the child faces harm but not necessarily great harm, and is always a misdemeanor, with the key difference being the degree of potential harm. 

What does motion to vacate sentence mean?

A motion to vacate offers a method of challenging convictions and/or sentences for those no longer in custody. Prior to the 2017 law, convictions could only be challenged while an individual was in custody—either in jail, in prison, or on probation.

How to vacate a conviction in California?

A motion to vacate judgment is a written request for the court to overturn a criminal conviction. It is filed in California based on state law found at Penal Code 1473.7 PC. This law allows people that are no longer in custody to file a motion to vacate a judgment in a criminal case.

How to find the United States code?

The U.S. Code, U.S. Code Annotated , or U.S. Code Service are generally available in federal depository libraries. The federal depository library program is made up of over 1,100 libraries that collect and/or provide government documents to make them available to the public.

Why do most domestic violence cases get dismissed?

Domestic violence charges are often dismissed due to insufficient evidence, lack of cooperation from the victim, or procedural issues that undermine the prosecution's case. These factors can significantly impact the legal outcome of such cases.

Do you go straight to jail for a felony?

No, you don't always go straight to jail for a felony; it depends on the crime's severity, your criminal history, and the judge's discretion, with outcomes ranging from probation and fines to prison, though serious felonies often lead to incarceration, especially for repeat offenders. Many first-time or non-violent felony offenders receive probation, community supervision, or alternative sentences instead of immediate jail time, but if imprisonment is part of the sentence, you're taken into custody immediately after sentencing. 

What are the 4 types of violent crimes?

The four major violent crimes tracked by the FBI for its Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program are murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, defined as offenses involving force or the threat of force, serving as key indicators for national violence trends. These crimes form the core of the Violent Crime Index, though other acts like kidnapping or extortion are also violent.
 

What is the new law for felons in California?

Recent California laws, primarily SB 731 (2022), significantly expand record-clearing, automatically sealing records for many non-violent felons who complete their sentences and stay crime-free for four years, while Proposition 36 (2024) modified sentencing for certain drug and theft offenses, focusing on rehabilitation and adding penalties for fentanyl distribution. These laws aim to provide second chances by making it easier to expunge or seal records, though serious and violent offenders are generally excluded, and new laws also introduce treatment options for drug offenses. 

Can I refuse to show my ID in California?

Yes, in California, you can generally refuse to show ID to police unless you're driving, lawfully detained (reasonable suspicion of a crime), or arrested, as California lacks a specific "stop and identify" law, meaning you don't have to ID yourself in casual encounters, but must provide it during traffic stops or lawful arrests, with refusal potentially leading to escalation or charges. 

Why would a judge vacate an order?

To **Vacate Judgment** means to cancel or set aside a court's previous decision. Common grounds include mistake, fraud, lack of notice, or newly discovered evidence.

Is being deceitful a crime?

Every person who knowingly and designedly, by any false or fraudulent representation or pretense, defrauds any other person of money, labor, or property, whether real or personal, or who causes or procures others to report falsely of his or her wealth or mercantile character, and by thus imposing upon any person ...

Has anyone won a case by representing themselves?

Yes, people have successfully represented themselves in court, especially in simpler cases like small claims or traffic violations, but it's generally difficult and risky, with many self-represented litigants losing, though some have achieved significant victories, even at the Supreme Court level, sometimes with the help of AI tools. Success often depends on case complexity and the individual's legal knowledge, as courts hold self-represented individuals (pro se) to the same standards as lawyers. 

What is the burden of proof?

The burden of proof requires a party to produce evidence to establish the truth of facts needed to satisfy all the required legal elements of the dispute. It is also known as the onus of proof. The burden of proof is usually on the person who brings a claim in a dispute.