California Penal Code §20610 — Lipstick Case Knife
PC §20610 makes it a wobbler to manufacture, import, keep for sale, offer for sale, give, lend, or possess any lipstick case knife in California. Misdemeanor exposure up to 1 year county jail; felony exposure of 16 months, 2, or 3 years under PC §1170(h). PC §16830 defines 'lipstick case knife' as a knife enclosed within and made an integral part of a lipstick case. Lipstick case knives are 'generally prohibited weapons' under the PC §16590 catalog as disguised weapons.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Lipstick Case Knife Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §20610 — Lipstick Case Knife at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §20610 — Lipstick Case Knife |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Wobbler (misdemeanor or felony) |
| Misdemeanor Penalty | Up to 1 year county jail |
| Felony Penalty | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail (§1170(h)) |
| Definition | PC §16830 — knife enclosed within and integral to lipstick case |
| Prohibited Weapons Catalog | PC §16590 (generally prohibited weapons — disguised) |
| Related Statutes | PC §20410 (belt buckle knife), §20710 (writing pen knife), §21110 (ballistic knife) |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §20610?
What Is California Penal Code §20610?
PC §20610 Reads:
"Any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any lipstick case knife is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170."
— California Penal Code §20610 (paraphrased)
PC §20610 targets 'lipstick case knives' — knives concealed within lipstick cases so the item appears to be a cosmetic. Because the design creates deception plus instant access, California treats lipstick case knives as generally prohibited weapons under the §16590 catalog alongside cane guns, pen guns, belt buckle knives, and other disguised weapons.
§16830 Definition — Integral to Lipstick Case
PC §16830 defines 'lipstick case knife' as a knife enclosed within and made an integral part of a lipstick case. Two elements must both be satisfied: (1) enclosure within a lipstick case, and (2) integration such that the knife is made an integral part of that case. A separate knife stored inside a purse next to a lipstick tube does not qualify. A novelty lipstick that opens to reveal a decorative non-cutting item is also outside the statute.
PC §20610 — Lipstick Case Knife
Knife integral to lipstick case. Wobbler.
PC §20710 — Writing Pen Knife
Knife integral to writing pen. Wobbler — parallel §16590 disguised-weapon statute.
Why Design Integration Drives §20610 Defense
Design integration is the litigation focus. A separate blade stored inside a purse next to lipstick is not §20610. A lipstick with a decorative pull-out non-cutting item is not §20610. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by challenging the integration element and pursuing §17(b) wobbler reduction on first offenses.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §20610
The prosecution must prove each of the following beyond a reasonable doubt.
Defendant Engaged in Prohibited Conduct
Manufacture, importation, sale, offer for sale, gift, loan, or possession.
The Item Is a Lipstick Case Knife Under §16830
Knife enclosed within and made an integral part of a lipstick case.
Defendant Knew the Item's Character
In re Jorge M. mens-rea standard — defendant knew or had reason to know the item concealed a knife.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §20610 Lipstick Case Knife in California
§20610 is a wobbler with distinct misdemeanor and felony tracks.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Misdemeanor §20610 | PC §20610 | Up to 1 year county jail | Standard | No |
| Felony §20610 (§1170(h)) | PC §20610 | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail | Available | No |
| Concurrent §21310 | PC §21310 | Up to 3 years — concealed dirk/dagger | Available | No |
| Concurrent §626.10 (School Grounds) | PC §626.10 | Up to 3 years — weapon on school grounds | Available | No |
Enhancements Attached to §20610 Fact Patterns
Concurrent Concealed Dirk/Dagger
PC §21310
A lipstick case knife carried on the person may support concurrent §21310 concealment charge.
School Grounds
PC §626.10
Lipstick case knife on school grounds — separate wobbler exposure.
Airport / Court Sensitive Area
PC §171b
In courthouse, or federal 49 USC §46505 at airport — separate criminal exposure.
Gang Predicate
PC §186.22
Adds 2-4 years and converts to strike.
Beyond the Sentence
- Item forfeiture — no return
- PC §29805 10-year firearm prohibition on misdemeanor conviction; §29800 lifetime prohibition on felony conviction
- Federal 18 USC §922(g) firearm prohibition on felony conviction
- Immigration consequences under 8 USC §1227(a)(2)(C) on felony weapons conviction
- TSA / travel consequences on subsequent airline screenings
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §20610 Lipstick Case Knife Charges
§20610 defenses focus on integration, mens rea, and possession.
Not a Lipstick Case Knife
Separate blade stored next to lipstick — not 'integral' to case. §16830 integration element fails.
PC §16830
Not a Knife
Novelty lipstick containing a non-cutting decorative item is not a 'knife' — no blade capable of cutting.
PC §16830
In re Jorge M. Mens Rea
Item was a gift, novelty import, or vintage collector piece — defendant unaware of concealed blade.
In re Jorge M.
Constructive-Possession Defense
Shared purse, shared vanity, third-party storage — no knowledge of item's presence. People v. Sifuentes.
People v. Sifuentes
Fourth Amendment Suppression
Warrantless purse search, overbroad warrant, Rodriguez prolongation. PC §1538.5 motion.
PC §1538.5
PC §17(b) Wobbler Reduction
Reduce felony filing to misdemeanor at preliminary hearing, sentencing, or post-probation.
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §20610 Lipstick Case Knife Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
§20610 cases follow the wobbler track.
- 1
Step 1 — Search & Seizure
Cases arise from Terry stops with purse searches, airport / courthouse screening, and probation searches producing the item.
- 2
Step 2 — Item Examination
LAPD SID / LASD firearms unit inspects the item, confirms lipstick-case integration, and documents blade capability.
- 3
Step 3 — Filing Decision
DA reviews misdemeanor vs. felony filing based on prior record and offense circumstances.
- 4
Step 4 — Motion Practice
PC §1538.5 suppression, §995 dismissal on integration failure, PC §17(b) wobbler reduction.
- 5
Step 5 — Resolution
Definitional dismissal, §17(b) reduction, probation plea, or trial.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §20610 Lipstick Case Knife Cases
§20610 cases are prosecuted at LA County criminal courthouses.
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
Central LA weapons calendar.
Van Nuys Courthouse
SFV weapons cases.
Long Beach Courthouse
South Bay weapons cases.
Compton Courthouse
South LA weapons calendar.
LAX Airport Courthouse (Airport Court)
Airport-screening §20610 cases with concurrent federal 49 USC §46505 exposure.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Lipstick Case Knife Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with lipstick case knife 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 §20610 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Lipstick Case Knife Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §20610 Lipstick Case Knife Questions — Los Angeles
Are lipstick case knives illegal in California?
Yes. PC §20610 makes it a wobbler to manufacture, sell, give, lend, or possess a lipstick case knife. Misdemeanor exposure up to 1 year county jail; felony exposure of 16 months, 2, or 3 years under §1170(h).
What is the legal definition of a lipstick case knife?
PC §16830 defines 'lipstick case knife' as a knife enclosed within and made an integral part of a lipstick case. Both elements must be satisfied: enclosure within a lipstick case AND integration such that the knife is a component of that case.
What if I did not know the lipstick had a hidden blade?
The In re Jorge M. mens-rea standard requires knowledge of the item's character. If the item was a gift, novelty import, or vintage collector piece and defendant was unaware of the concealed blade, that supports a knowledge-element defense. Photos, receipts, and testimony of first discovery matter.
Can §20610 be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor?
Yes. PC §17(b) allows reduction of wobbler felonies to misdemeanors at the preliminary hearing, at sentencing, or after successful probation. Reduction is particularly common on first-offense cases without aggravating conduct.
Are lipstick case knives federally prohibited?
There is no direct federal parallel to §20610 addressing lipstick case knives specifically. But airport screening produces significant federal exposure under 49 USC §46505 for concealed weapons at screening checkpoints — separate federal prosecution possible.
What about vintage lipstick case knives from the 1950s?
PC §20610 does not exempt antique or vintage items. Even historical or collector pieces fall within the statute if they satisfy §16830 elements. Options include (1) surrender to law enforcement for destruction, (2) transfer to a licensed dealer outside California, or (3) confirm eligibility for a narrow §16590 museum/collector exemption.
What if the blade is dull or non-functional?
The statute prohibits any knife enclosed within and integral to a lipstick case — sharpness is not a definitional element. Even a dull or ceremonially blunted blade may satisfy §16830. But blade non-functionality supports mitigation at sentencing.
What are the immigration consequences of a §20610 conviction?
A misdemeanor §20610 conviction is generally not a firearm offense under 8 USC §1227(a)(2)(C). A felony §20610 conviction may qualify as an aggravated felony under case-specific analysis. Non-citizen defendants should confirm status-specific consequences before plea.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged Under PC §20610 Lipstick Case Knife?
Integration analysis, knowledge element, and §17(b) reduction drive these cases. Call Rubin Law, P.C. — free consult (213) 723-2337.