Pen. Code, § 273a · Chapter 2. Abandonment and Neglect of Children
Pen. Code, § 273a
Text — As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
(a) Any person who, under circumstances or conditions likely to produce great bodily harm or death, willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of that child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits that child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health is endangered, shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or in the state prison for two, four, or six years.
(b) Any person who, under circumstances or conditions other than those likely to produce great bodily harm or death, willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts thereon unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering, or having the care or custody of any child, willfully causes or permits the person or health of that child to be injured, or willfully causes or permits that child to be placed in a situation where his or her person or health may be endangered, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) If a person is convicted of violating this section and probation is granted, the court shall require the following minimum conditions of probation:
(1) A mandatory minimum period of probation of 48 months.
(2) A criminal court protective order protecting the victim from further acts of violence or threats, and, if appropriate, residence exclusion or stay-away conditions.
(3) (A) Successful completion of no less than one year of a child abuser’s treatment counseling program approved by the probation department. The defendant shall be ordered to begin participation in the program immediately upon the grant of probation. The counseling program shall meet the criteria specified in Section 273.1. The defendant shall produce documentation of program enrollment to the court within 30 days of enrollment, along with quarterly progress reports.
(B) The terms of probation for offenders shall not be lifted until all reasonable fees due to the counseling program have been paid in full, but in no case shall probation be extended beyond the term provided in subdivision (a) of Section 1203.1. If the court finds that the defendant does not have the ability to pay the fees based on the defendant’s changed circumstances, the court may reduce or waive the fees.
(4) If the offense was committed while the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the defendant shall abstain from the use of drugs or alcohol during the period of probation and shall be subject to random drug testing by his or her probation officer.
(5) The court may waive any of the above minimum conditions of probation upon a finding that the condition would not be in the best interests of justice. The court shall state on the record its reasons for any waiver.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Amended by Stats. 1997, Ch. 134, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1998.
Source of truth
- Edition
- As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
- Official file
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=273a.
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This section cites
Provisions in this library that the text above cites, as it prints each citation. A range cited as “ss. 61.13-61.16” links its first and last provisions.
Cited by 28 provisions
Provisions in this library whose text cites Pen. Code, § 273a. Each shows the citation as that text prints it.
Health and Safety Code
- Health & Saf. Code, § 1522Printed as Section 273a of the Penal Code | Section 273a, of the Penal Code
- Health & Saf. Code, § 1568.09Printed as Section 273a of the Penal Code | Section 273a, of the Penal Code
- Health & Saf. Code, § 1569.17Printed as Section 273a of the Penal Code | Section 273a, of the Penal Code
- Health & Saf. Code, § 1596.871Printed as Section 273a of the Penal Code | Section 273a, of the Penal Code
Penal Code
- Pen. Code, § 273cPrinted as Sections 270, 271, 271a, 273a, and 273b
- Pen. Code, § 273.1Printed as Section 273a or 273d
- Pen. Code, § 273.4Printed as Section 273a
- Pen. Code, § 288.3Printed as Section 207, 209, 261, 264.1, 273a, 286, 287, 288, 288.2, 289, 311.1, 311.2, 311.4 or 311.11
- Pen. Code, § 294Printed as Section 273a, 273d, 288.5, 311.2, 311.3, or 647.6
- Pen. Code, § 784.7Printed as Section 243.4, 261.5, 273a, 273.5, 646.9
- Pen. Code, § 868.5Printed as Section 211, 215, 220, 236.1, 240, 242, 243.4, 245, 261, 266, 266a, 266b, 266c, 266d, 266e, 266f, 266g, 266h, 266i, 266j, 266k, 267, 269, 273a, 273d, 273.5, 273.6, 278, 278.5, 285, 286, 287, 288, 288.
- Pen. Code, § 868.8Printed as Section 220, 236.1, 243.4, 261, 269, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, 288.7, or 289
- Pen. Code, § 939.21Printed as Section 243.4, 261, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, or 289
- Pen. Code, § 999tPrinted as Section 273a
- Pen. Code, § 1048Printed as Section 261, 264.1, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 287, 288, or 289
- Pen. Code, § 1346Printed as Section 220, 243.4, 261, 261.5, 264.1, 269, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, 288.7, 289, or 647.6
- Pen. Code, § 1347.5Printed as Section 220, 243.4, 261, 261.5, 264.1, 273a, 273d, 285, 286, 287, 288, 288.5, or 289
- Pen. Code, § 11160Printed as Section 273a or 273d
- Pen. Code, § 12022.95Printed as Section 273a
- Pen. Code, § 14205Printed as Section 220, 261.5, 273a, 273d, or 273.5
- Pen. Code, § 29805Printed as Section 273a
Welfare and Institutions Code
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