{"code":"PEN","codeName":"Penal Code","section":"1170.8","citation":"Pen. Code, § 1170.8","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"PART 2. OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE [681. - 1620.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-2"},{"name":"TITLE 7. OF PROCEEDINGS AFTER THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRIAL AND BEFORE JUDGMENT [1065. - 1188.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-2/title-7"},{"name":"CHAPTER 4.5. Trial Court Sentencing [1170. - 1172.75.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-2/title-7/chapter-4.5"},{"name":"ARTICLE 1. Initial Sentencing [1170. - 1171.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-2/title-7/chapter-4.5/article-1"}],"history":"Added by Stats. 1982, Ch. 929, Sec. 1.","effective":null,"html":"<p>(a) The fact that a robbery or an assault with a deadly weapon or instrument or by means of any force likely to produce great bodily injury was committed against a person while that person was in a church, synagogue, or building owned and occupied by a religious educational institution, or any other place primarily used as a place of worship where religious services are regularly conducted, shall be considered a circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section <a href=\"/pen/1170\">1170</a>.</p><p>(b) Upon conviction of any person for a violation of Section <a href=\"/pen/451\">451</a> or <a href=\"/pen/453\">453</a>, the fact that the person intentionally burned, or intended to burn, a church, synagogue, or building owned and occupied by a religious educational institution, or any other place primarily used as a place of worship where religious services are regularly conducted, shall be considered a circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section <a href=\"/pen/1170\">1170</a>.</p>","text":"(a) The fact that a robbery or an assault with a deadly weapon or instrument or by means of any force likely to produce great bodily injury was committed against a person while that person was in a church, synagogue, or building owned and occupied by a religious educational institution, or any other place primarily used as a place of worship where religious services are regularly conducted, shall be considered a circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section 1170. (b) Upon conviction of any person for a violation of Section 451 or 453, the fact that the person intentionally burned, or intended to burn, a church, synagogue, or building owned and occupied by a religious educational institution, or any other place primarily used as a place of worship where religious services are regularly conducted, shall be considered a circumstance in aggravation of the crime in imposing a term under subdivision (b) of Section 1170.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/initial-sentencing-1170-8","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}