California Penal Code §132 — Offering False Evidence
PC §132 makes it a felony to offer in evidence — as genuine — any book, paper, document, record, or other instrument in writing knowing that it has been forged or fraudulently altered. It applies to any trial, proceeding, or inquiry authorized by law and carries 16 months, 2, or 3 years in state prison.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Offering False Evidence Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §132 — Offering False Evidence at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §132 — Offering False Evidence |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Felony |
| Prison Term | 16 months, 2, or 3 years state prison |
| Related — §134 | §134 = preparation of false evidence (also felony, same term) |
| Related — §118 | §118 = perjury (also felony) |
| Proceeding Covered | Any trial, proceeding, or inquiry authorized by law — including administrative, DMV, family, civil |
| Knowledge Required | Actual knowledge that the document is forged or fraudulently altered |
| Strike | No |
| Immigration | CIMT — deportable and inadmissible |
| Bar / License | Automatic professional-license impact for licensed professionals |
| If Charged | Call (213) 723-2337 immediately |
01 — What Is PC §132?
What Is California Penal Code §132?
PC §132 Reads:
"Every person who upon any trial, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation whatever, authorized or permitted by law, offers in evidence, as genuine or true, any book, paper, document, record, or other instrument in writing, knowing the same to have been forged or fraudulently altered or ante-dated, is guilty of felony."
— California Penal Code §132
§132 is the courtroom-focused counterpart to forgery. Where PC §470 punishes the making of a forged document, §132 punishes the introduction of that document in evidence. The offering must occur in a 'proceeding authorized by law' — which includes not only jury trials but also DMV hearings, small-claims trials, family-law hearings, workers' comp proceedings, and administrative rulings.
§132, §134, and §118 — The Fraud-in-Court Triangle
§132 catches offering. §134 catches preparation of the false document with intent to offer. §118 catches false testimony under oath. All three are felonies and are commonly charged together in the same information. Family-law and workers'-comp fraud cases most frequently trigger this trilogy.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §132
Under CALCRIM 2640, the prosecution must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Offer in Evidence
Defendant offered a document, record, or writing in evidence — as genuine or true — in a legal proceeding.
The Document Was Forged / Fraudulently Altered
The document was forged, fraudulently altered, or antedated.
Knowledge of Falsity
Defendant knew the document was forged or fraudulently altered at the time of offering.
Authorized Proceeding
The proceeding was authorized by law — trial, hearing, administrative inquiry.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §132 Offering False Evidence in California
§132 is a straight felony with no misdemeanor filing option.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offering False Evidence | PC §132 | 16 months, 2, or 3 years state prison | Available at court's discretion | No |
| Preparation of False Evidence | PC §134 | 16 months, 2, or 3 years state prison (comparison) | Available | No |
| Perjury | PC §118 | 2, 3, or 4 years state prison (comparison) | Available | No |
Sentencing Enhancements
Aggravated Loss
PC §12022.6
Additional 1–4 years for loss exceeding $65,000 attributable to the fraud.
Pattern of Fraud
PC §186.11
+2/3/5 years for two or more §132 offenses in a pattern of fraud with combined losses over $100,000.
Bar Discipline
Bus. & Prof. §6106
Automatic State Bar referral for licensed attorneys; disbarment is standard.
Additional Consequences Beyond Prison
- Automatic State Bar / DRE / DOI / medical-board discipline for licensed professionals
- Immigration: CIMT — deportable aggravated felony where loss exceeds $10,000
- Civil sanctions and reversal of underlying judgments
- Loss of firearm rights on felony conviction
- Reputational impact on future litigation and testimony credibility
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §132 Offering False Evidence Charges
§132 defenses attack knowledge and the 'offering' element.
No Knowledge of Falsity
Reliance on client, expert, paralegal, or opposing party's production defeats the knowledge element.
Mens Rea
Document Not Forged
Disputed content within a genuine document is a credibility issue, not §132. The physical instrument itself must be false.
Definition
No Actual 'Offer'
Attaching to a pleading, producing in discovery, or listing on an exhibit list is not necessarily 'offering in evidence.'
Element
Withdrawal Before Offer
Where the defendant withdrew the document before formal offer, no §132 violation occurred.
Timing
Reduce to Misdemeanor Alternative
Some cases plead to §115.5 or §473 (attempted forgery misdemeanor) instead of §132 to avoid the felony and CIMT.
Plea
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §132 Offering False Evidence Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
§132 cases arise from parallel civil, family, or workers'-comp litigation.
- 1
Step 1 — Underlying Proceeding Concludes
The false document is often flagged in a civil or family-law proceeding first.
- 2
Step 2 — Referral
The opposing party, judge, or agency (WCAB, DMV) refers to the DA.
- 3
Step 3 — Grand Jury or Complaint
Filed as a felony complaint or by indictment.
- 4
Step 4 — Preliminary Hearing
Prosecution must show forged document, offering, and knowledge.
- 5
Step 5 — Motion Practice
Knowledge challenges, document-authenticity motions, and privilege objections to attorney work-product.
- 6
Step 6 — Plea or Trial
Plea negotiations often target alternative fraud misdemeanors to avoid CIMT and license discipline.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §132 Offering False Evidence Cases
§132 cases are handled at general felony calendars countywide.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Offering False Evidence Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with offering false evidence and related offenses in Los Angeles County courts — including Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Compton, and Pomona. He understands that these cases are won in the details: the suppression hearing that eliminates key evidence, the preliminary hearing cross-examination that exposes a weak witness, the penalty phase argument that keeps a client out of the worst outcome.
This page was written and reviewed by Daniel A. Rubin, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, CA State Bar 302093, with 10+ years of experience defending clients charged under PC §132 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Offering False Evidence Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §132 Offering False Evidence Questions — Los Angeles
Does PC §132 apply to civil proceedings?
Yes. The statute covers any 'trial, proceeding, or inquiry authorized by law' — including civil, family, DMV, workers' comp, and administrative hearings.
Do I have to have made the document myself?
No. §132 punishes offering — §470 punishes making. But the offerer must know the document is forged.
Can PC §132 be reduced to a misdemeanor?
Not directly — §132 is a straight felony. But plea negotiations often produce a misdemeanor alternative (e.g., §115.5, §473) to avoid felony and CIMT consequences.
Will this affect my professional license?
Yes. Automatic bar/DRE/DOI/medical-board discipline follows §132 convictions. Disbarment for attorneys is standard.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged With PC §132 in Los Angeles?
Fraud-in-court cases require early license-mitigation and CIMT-aware plea strategy. Rubin Law, P.C. — (213) 723-2337.