California statute
Cal. Penal Code § 992
Current through 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12)
Part of Chapter 1: Of the Arraignment of the Defendant, California Penal Code.
Full text of Cal. Penal Code § 992
Statutory text current through the 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of California.
(a) (1) In any case in which the defendant is charged with a felony, the court shall require the defendant to provide a right thumbprint on a form developed for this purpose. Unless the court has obtained the thumbprint at an earlier proceeding, it shall do so at the arraignment on the information or indictment, or upon entry of a guilty or no contest plea under Section 859a. The fingerprint form shall include the name and superior court case number of the defendant, the date, and the printed name, position, and badge or serial number of the court bailiff who imprints the defendant’s thumbprint. In the event the defendant is physically unable to provide a right thumbprint, the defendant shall provide a left thumbprint. In the event the defendant is physically unable to provide a left thumbprint, the court shall make a determination as to how the defendant might otherwise provide a suitable identifying characteristic to be imprinted on the judgment of conviction. The clerk shall note on the fingerprint form which digit, if any, of the defendant’s was imprinted thereon. In the event that the defendant is convicted, this fingerprint form shall be attached to the minute order reflecting the defendant’s sentence. The fingerprint form shall be permanently maintained in the superior court file. (2) This thumbprint or fingerprint shall not be used to create a database. The Judicial Council shall develop a form to implement this section. (b) In the event that a county implements a countywide policy in which every felony defendant’s photograph and fingerprints are permanently maintained in the superior court file, the presiding judge of that county may elect, after consultation with the district attorney, to continue compliance with this section.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.