This is a plain-English index to California’s most common misdemeanor and wobbler charges — organized by category, each linking to a full guide with the penalties, the defenses, and the paths to a dismissal.
Most misdemeanors are more resolvable than they feel — often through judicial diversion (PC 1001.95), civil compromise, reduction to an infraction, or dismissal.
Theft & Property
- Petty theft (PC 488) — taking property worth $950 or less
- Shoplifting (PC 459.5) — entering a store intending to steal $950 or less
- Receiving stolen property (PC 496) — property known to be stolen
- Forgery (PC 470) — falsifying documents with intent to defraud
- Vehicle taking / joyriding (VC 10851) — driving a vehicle without consent
- Burglary tools (PC 466) — tools possessed with intent to break in
Drugs
- Drug possession (HS 11377) — possessing methamphetamine or similar drugs
- Under the influence (HS 11550) — no drugs need to be found
- Paraphernalia (HS 11364) — a pipe, needle, or spoon
- Cannabis for sale (HS 11359) — post-Prop 64 sales
Violence & Threats
- Assault & battery (PC 240 / 242) — an attempt, or an unlawful touching
- Battery on an officer (PC 243(b)) — contact with a peace officer on duty
- Assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1)) — a wobbler
- Criminal threats (PC 422) — a wobbler and a strike as a felony
- Dissuading a witness (PC 136.1) — preventing testimony or a report
Domestic Violence
- Domestic battery (PC 243(e)(1)) — no injury required
- Corporal injury (PC 273.5) — injury to a partner; a wobbler
- Violating a restraining order (PC 273.6) — an intentional, knowing violation
Driving Offenses
- DUI (VC 23152) — and the 10-day DMV deadline
- DUI causing injury (VC 23153) — a wobbler
- Reckless driving (VC 23103) — and the wet reckless reduction
- Hit and run (VC 20002) — leaving after damaging property
- Suspended license (VC 14601) — driving while suspended, with knowledge
- No license (VC 12500) — often reduced to an infraction
- Evading (VC 2800.1) — fleeing a pursuing officer
- Open container (VC 23222) — an infraction
- Minor in possession (BP 25662) — under-21 possession
Weapons
- Concealed firearm (PC 25400) — a concealed gun on you or in a car
- Concealed dirk or dagger (PC 21310) — a fixed stabbing knife
- Brandishing (PC 417) — displaying a weapon threateningly
Public Order & Other
- Resisting arrest (PC 148) — and PC 69 with force
- False ID to an officer (PC 148.9) — a false identity
- False police report (PC 148.5) — a knowingly false report
- Disturbing the peace (PC 415) — fighting, noise, or fighting words
- Trespassing (PC 602) — and dwelling entry (PC 602.5)
- Prostitution / solicitation (PC 647(b)) — for compensation
- Harassing communications (PC 653m) — and cyber-harassment (PC 653.2)
- Contempt of court (PC 166) — disobeying a court order
- Accessory after the fact (PC 32) — helping after a felony
- Animal cruelty (PC 597) — a wobbler
- False imprisonment (PC 236) — restraining another's liberty
- Child endangerment (PC 273a) — the misdemeanor version
- Elder abuse (PC 368) — the misdemeanor version
- Stalking (PC 646.9) — repeated conduct plus a credible threat
- Public intoxication (PC 647(f)) — and more
Sex Offenses
- Indecent exposure (PC 314) — requires sex-offender registration
- Sexual battery (PC 243.4) — requires registration
- Lewd conduct (PC 647(a)) — does not require registration
- Intimate-image distribution (PC 647(j)(4)) — 'revenge porn'
Court Process Guides
- How a criminal case works
- Arraignment
- How bail works & bail bonds
- Speedy trial & continuances
- Preliminary hearing
- Sentencing, probation & violations
- Charged without being arrested
- Statute of limitations
- Plea bargains & no-contest pleas
- Jury trials, jail vs. prison & three strikes
- Do you need a lawyer & choosing one
- Alternatives to jail & unpaid fines
Your Rights
DUI Guides
Diversion, Records & Consequences
- Wobblers & PC 17(b) reductions
- Civil compromise, infraction vs. misdemeanor & diversion vs. expungement
- After completing diversion
- How long a record lasts, arrest sealing & getting your record
- Restitution & first-offense options
- Immigration, gun rights, licenses & housing
- Recent changes in California criminal law
Start Here
New to all this? Start with how a California criminal case works, what a wobbler is, whether you need a lawyer, and public defender vs. private counsel.
Domestic violence guides: restraining orders, getting one dropped, gun rights, child custody, and what to do after a DV arrest.
More driving & theft: underage DUI (VC 23140), driving on a DUI-suspended license, and the shopkeeper's privilege.
Facing charges in a specific county? See our guides for San Francisco, San Mateo County (after an arrest), and Santa Clara County (after an arrest).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in California?
A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year in county jail. In California, felonies are punishable by imprisonment; since 2011 Realignment (Penal Code § 1170(h)), many lower-level felonies are served in county jail rather than state prison, while more serious, violent, or sex-registerable felonies are still punished by a state-prison term. Many offenses are 'wobblers' that can be charged as either — and keeping a wobbler a misdemeanor is often the central defense goal.
Can most misdemeanors be dismissed in California?
Many can. Common paths to a dismissal include judicial diversion (PC 1001.95), mental health diversion (PC 1001.36), civil compromise (PC 1377) where there is a compensable victim, reduction to an infraction, and winning a motion to suppress. The right path depends on the charge.
How much does misdemeanor defense cost?
ASH Legal handles most San Francisco and Bay Area misdemeanors on a flat fee starting at $3,500, covering the case from arraignment through resolution. See our guide on criminal defense lawyer cost for details.
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Schedule Free ConsultationAbout the Author
Ahmed S. Hasan
San Francisco Criminal Defense Attorney · State Bar of California #364992
Ahmed S. Hasan is the founder of ASH Legal, a solo criminal defense practice based in San Francisco. The firm runs on flat-fee representation: one lawyer, one fee, from arraignment through resolution. No hourly billing. No surprise invoices.
Ahmed is a graduate of Emory University School of Law and a member in good standing of the State Bar of California (Bar #364992). His practice focuses on San Francisco misdemeanor defense — DUI, domestic violence, petty theft and shoplifting, drug possession, vandalism, trespassing, and assault and battery — with particular attention to diversion-track outcomes that end in dismissal under PC 1001.95, PC 1001.36 (Mental Health Diversion), PC 1001.80 (Military Diversion), and PC 1001.83 (Parental Caregiver Diversion).
Ahmed previously served as a post-bar clerk with the San Francisco Public Defender's Office, the city's largest indigent-defense practice. He is a member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Silicon Valley.
He represents clients at the San Francisco Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) and the Civic Center Courthouse. The ASH Legal office is at 15 Boardman Place, Suite 301, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Free 30-minute consultations are available by phone or Zoom. (510) 545-6515 · ahmed@ashlegal.com