Falsified Registration Sticker in California

My mother was caught falsifying here proof of registration sticker in California. She was broke and instead of asking me for help, she did something stupid. She contacted me immediately and we paid for her registration and got her car out of the impound yard. She has a notice to appear at the end of the month.

This is her first offense and has a clean record. How much trouble is she in and do I need to hire her a lawyer?

It seems she committed a misdemeanor. Which by the law states is punishable with 6 months in jail and or a fine not less then 500 dollars.

I would hire an attorney that specializes in the vehicle code.

Actually, according to what I came up with, it is actually a "Felony"...

California Vehicle Code Section 4463

(a) A person who, with intent to prejudice, damage, or defraud, commits any of the following acts is guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months or two or three years, or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year:

(1) Alters, forges, counterfeits, or falsifies a certificate of ownership, registration card, certificate, license, license plate, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, special plate, or permit provided for by this code or a comparable certificate of ownership, registration card, certificate, license, license plate, device comparable to that issued pursuant to Section 4853, special plate, or permit provided for by any foreign jurisdiction, or alters, forges, counterfeits, or falsifies the document, device, or plate with intent to represent it as issued by the department, or alters, forges, counterfeits, or falsifies with fraudulent intent an endorsement of transfer on a certificate of ownership or other document evidencing ownership, or with fraudulent intent displays or causes or permits to be displayed or have in his or her possession a blank, incomplete, canceled, suspended, revoked, altered, forged, counterfeit, or false certificate of ownership, registration card, certificate, license, license plate, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, special plate, or permit.
(2) Utters, publishes, passes, or attempts to pass, as true and genuine, a false, altered, forged, or counterfeited matter listed in paragraph (1) knowing it to be false, altered, forged, or counterfeited.

I was unable to find a bail amount for that violation in the 2009 California Uniform felony Bail Schedule it is however listed in the 2009 Los Angeles County Felony Bail Schedule at $20,000.

I can see how one might be able to forge/alter the registration card, but what was she going to do about the actual tab (tag) which must be on her plate for her to ensure she is not going to get pulled over?

"I can see how one might be able to forge/alter the registration card, but what was she going to do about the actual tab (tag) which must be on her plate for her to ensure she is not going to get pulled over?"

Actually, that is how she got pulled over. She forged the "2009" sticker and placed it on her license plate. She did not forge her registration card or any other document.

She told me over the phone, which I will verify as soon as possible, that the vehicle code was 4467.5 and that it was a misdemeanor. But what I read about 4467 was regarding issuing new license plates for domestic violence.

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Quoting socalkid22

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Actually, that is how she got pulled over. She forged the "2009" sticker and placed it on her license plate. She did not forge her registration card or any other document.

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Interesting.. The tabs are made out of reflective adhesive backed material...

Quote:

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Quoting socalkid22

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She told me over the phone, which I will verify as soon as possible, that the vehicle code was 4467.5 and that it was a misdemeanor. But what I read about 4467 was regarding issuing new license plates for domestic violence.

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OK, I figured it is actually 4462.5 which is actually a misdemeanor. However, this code does not match the... Well, here: (I will also post 4462 since it is referenced in 4462.5)

4462.

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall present the registration or identification card or other evidence of registration of any or all vehicles under his or her immediate control for examination upon demand of any peace officer.
(b) No person shall display upon a vehicle, nor present to any peace officer, any registration card, identification card, temporary receipt, license plate, device issued pursuant to Section 4853, or permit not issued for that vehicle or not otherwise lawfully used thereon under this code.
(c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2001.

4462.5

Every person who commits a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 4462, with intent to avoid compliance with vehicle registration requirements of Article 1 (commencing with Section 4000) of Chapter 1 or Article 1 (commencing with Section 5600) of Chapter 2, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Not sure how that could be described as "forging the sticker"!

This is in fact shown in the 2009 California Uniform Bail Schedule and is described as "Unlawful Display of Evidence of Registration with Intent to Avoid Compliance". It is in fact a misdemeanor, carries zero violation points on her driving record and an estimated fine of $620. No jail time!

Either way, I would still consult with an attorney... You maybe able to get a free consultation just to hear what they would have to say.