California Penal Code §529 — False Impersonation
PC §529 punishes false impersonation of another — in a private or official capacity — combined with any additional act that could expose the person impersonated to liability, criminal prosecution, or civil suit, or that produces a benefit to the impersonator. §529 is a wobbler: misdemeanor up to 1 year in county jail, or felony 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail under §1170(h), plus a fine up to $10,000.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · False Impersonation Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §529 — False Impersonation at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §529 — False Impersonation |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Wobbler |
| Misdemeanor Penalty | Up to 1 year county jail + up to $10,000 fine |
| Felony Penalty | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail (§1170(h)) |
| Elements | Impersonation + additional act (bail, verify pleading, or 'other act') |
| §17(b) Reduction | Available (wobbler) |
| Immigration | CIMT — deceit-based |
| Related Statutes | §529.5 (fraudulent gov ID); §530.5 (identity theft) |
| Restitution | Mandatory where victim loss |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §529?
What Is California Penal Code §529?
PC §529 Reads:
"Every person who falsely personates another in either his or her private or official capacity, and in that assumed character does any of the following, is punishable pursuant to subdivision (b): (1) Becomes bail... (2) Verifies... any written proceeding... (3) Does any other act whereby, if done by the person falsely personated, he might, in any event, become liable to any suit or prosecution, or to pay any sum of money, or to incur any charge, forfeiture, or penalty, or whereby any benefit might accrue to the party personating, or to any other person."
— California Penal Code §529(a)
PC §529 targets impersonation combined with a consequential act. The most heavily-litigated prong is the 'any other act' clause — the impersonation must produce potential liability for the person impersonated or a benefit to the impersonator. Common LA fact patterns include giving a sibling's or friend's name at a traffic stop, signing another person's name on a bail or booking form, appearing at DMV or court in another person's identity, and 'swatter'-style calls impersonating the target. Merely giving a false name to police without additional consequence is charged under PC §148.9 (misdemeanor), not §529.
Why This Law Matters
§529 escalates identity misuse to a felony wobbler and is the standard companion to PC §470 (forgery) and PC §530.5 (identity theft) in fraud filings. It is a CIMT with immigration and licensing exposure. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by attacking the 'additional act' element, negotiating downshift to §148.9, pursuing §17(b) reduction, and structuring immigration-safe non-conviction dispositions.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §529
The People must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
False Impersonation of Another Real Person
Defendant assumed the identity of a specific real person — not a fictitious identity.
Assumed Character
Defendant acted 'in the assumed character' of the impersonated person.
Additional Act
Defendant did one of the specified acts — becoming bail, verifying a proceeding, or 'any other act' that could expose the impersonated person to liability or produce benefit.
Specific Intent
Defendant acted with intent to gain a benefit or shift liability to the impersonated person.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §529 False Impersonation in California
Penalty structure for PC §529.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| §529 Misdemeanor | PC §529(b) | Up to 1 year county jail | Available (summary) | No |
| §529 Felony | PC §529(b) / §1170(h) | 16 mo, 2, or 3 years county jail | Available | No |
| Fine (either level) | PC §529(b) | Up to $10,000 | N/A | N/A |
| Companion §148.9 | PC §148.9 | Up to 6 months jail (misd.) | Available | No |
Related Enhancements & Charges
Companion §530.5
PC §530.5
Identity theft — using another's personal information for any unlawful purpose.
Companion §470
PC §470
Forgery — signing another's name to a document.
Aggravated White-Collar
PC §186.11
Pattern of related fraud felonies with loss > $100K.
Companion §148.9
PC §148.9
False ID to police — downshift target in name-only cases.
Beyond the Sentence
- CIMT — deportable and impeachable
- Restitution — victim losses attributable to the impersonation
- Licensing exposure (Bar, DRE, nursing, teaching)
- Aggravated-felony risk if joined with §470 forgery scheme > $10K
- DMV license consequences when impersonation involves driver record
- Federal identity-theft parallel exposure (18 U.S.C. §1028 / §1028A)
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §529 False Impersonation Charges
Rubin Law, P.C. defends this offense through the following strategies.
No 'Additional Act'
Under People v. Cole, mere false-name giving without a further consequential act is insufficient — downshift to §148.9.
§529 Element
Fictitious Identity Only
§529 requires impersonating a real person. Made-up identities fall outside §529.
Fictitious ID
No Intent to Benefit or Shift Liability
Panic-driven false identification without intent-to-benefit or intent-to-shift defeats §529.
Intent
§17(b) Reduction
Felony §529 can be reduced under §17(b) at prelim or post-conviction to preserve licensing and immigration status.
§17(b)
Downshift to §148.9
Negotiated substitution to §148.9 (false ID to police) — misdemeanor with lower CIMT profile.
Substitution
Immigration-Safe Plea
Non-conviction dispositions (DEJ where available, PC §1000, §1001.95) and non-CIMT alternatives preserve immigration status.
Immigration
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §529 False Impersonation Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
Typical case flow through the LA County courts.
- 1
Step 1 — Arrest / Booking
§529 filings often follow discovery of prior false identification at booking or DMV.
- 2
Step 2 — Filing / Arraignment
DA files felony §529 or misdemeanor based on additional act and loss level. Bail argument central where felony.
- 3
Step 3 — Preliminary Hearing
Element litigation on the 'additional act' — Rubin Law aggressively pushes for §148.9 downshift.
- 4
Step 4 — Motion Practice
§995 dismissal motions on the 'other act' element; suppression of statements where Miranda violation.
- 5
Step 5 — Plea Negotiation
Primary targets: §148.9 downshift, §17(b) reduction, and non-CIMT immigration-safe dispositions.
- 6
Step 6 — Trial or Sentencing
Trial defense focuses on intent and 'additional act.' Sentencing targets restitution-based probation.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §529 False Impersonation Cases
Filings are venued in the courthouse serving the impersonation location.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles False Impersonation Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with false impersonation 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 §529 in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | False Impersonation Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §529 False Impersonation Questions — Los Angeles
What is PC §529?
PC §529 punishes false impersonation of another real person combined with an additional act that could expose the impersonated person to liability or produce a benefit to the impersonator. Wobbler.
Is giving a fake name to police §529?
Not by itself. Under People v. Cole, mere name-giving without an additional act is charged under §148.9, not §529. §529 requires an additional consequential act.
Is §529 a felony?
It is a wobbler — filed as felony (16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail) or misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail), plus a fine up to $10,000. §17(b) reduction available.
Does §529 apply to fake identities?
No. §529 requires impersonation of a real person. Purely fictitious identities fall outside §529 (may fit §529.5 for fake gov IDs or §148.9 for false ID to police).
Is §529 a deportable offense?
Yes — CIMT for immigration purposes. Combined with §470 or large-loss identity theft, it can rise to aggravated-felony exposure.
Can I reduce §529 to a misdemeanor?
Yes. As a wobbler, felony §529 can be reduced under PC §17(b) at prelim, plea, sentencing, or post-conviction.
How does §529 differ from §530.5?
§529 requires impersonation plus a consequential act. §530.5 targets using another's personal identifying information for any unlawful purpose. They are often charged together.
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged with PC §529 False Impersonation? Call Rubin Law.
§529 is a wobbler CIMT with immigration and licensing risks. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by attacking the 'additional act' element, negotiating §148.9 downshift, and pursuing §17(b) reduction. Call (213) 723-2337.