California legal term
illegal telecommunications equipment in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “illegal telecommunications equipment” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “illegal telecommunications equipment” mean in California criminal law?
“illegal telecommunications equipment” means equipment that operates to evade the lawful charges for any telecommunications service; surreptitiously intercept electronic serial numbers or mobile identification numbers; alter electronic serial numbers; circumvent efforts to confirm legitimate access to a telecommunications account; conceal from any telecommunications service provider or lawful authority the existence, place of origin, or destination of any telecommunication; or otherwise facilitate any other criminal conduct. “Illegal telecommunications equipment” includes, but is not limited t (Cal. Penal Code § 502.8)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.