{"code":"CONS","codeName":"California Constitution","section":"ART I SEC 14","citation":"Cal. Const., art. I, § 14","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF RIGHTS [SECTION 1. - SEC. 32.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/constitution/article-1"}],"history":"Sec. 14 added Nov. 5, 1974, by Prop. 7. Res.Ch. 90, 1974.","effective":null,"html":"<p>Felonies shall be prosecuted as provided by law, either by indictment or, after examination and commitment by a magistrate, by information.</p><p>A person charged with a felony by complaint subscribed under penalty of perjury and on file in a court in the county where the felony is triable shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate of that court. The magistrate shall immediately give the defendant a copy of the complaint, inform the defendant of the defendant’s right to counsel, allow the defendant a reasonable time to send for counsel, and on the defendant’s request read the complaint to the defendant. On the defendant’s request the magistrate shall require a peace officer to transmit within the county where the court is located a message to counsel named by defendant.</p><p>A person unable to understand English who is charged with a crime has a right to an interpreter throughout the proceedings.</p>","text":"Felonies shall be prosecuted as provided by law, either by indictment or, after examination and commitment by a magistrate, by information. A person charged with a felony by complaint subscribed under penalty of perjury and on file in a court in the county where the felony is triable shall be taken without unnecessary delay before a magistrate of that court. The magistrate shall immediately give the defendant a copy of the complaint, inform the defendant of the defendant’s right to counsel, allow the defendant a reasonable time to send for counsel, and on the defendant’s request read the complaint to the defendant. On the defendant’s request the magistrate shall require a peace officer to transmit within the county where the court is located a message to counsel named by defendant. A person unable to understand English who is charged with a crime has a right to an interpreter throughout the proceedings.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/constitution/article-1/section-14","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}