{"code":"PEN","codeName":"Penal Code","section":"278","citation":"Pen. Code, § 278","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"PART 1. OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS [25. - 680.4.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-1"},{"name":"TITLE 9. OF CRIMES AGAINST THE PERSON INVOLVING SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC DECENCY AND GOOD MORALS [261. - 368.7.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-1/title-9"},{"name":"CHAPTER 4. Child Abduction [277. - 280.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/part-1/title-9/chapter-4"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 15, Sec. 313.   (AB 109)   Effective April 4, 2011.   Operative October 1, 2011, by Sec. 636 of Ch. 15, as amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 39, Sec. 68.","effective":"2011-04-04","html":"<p>Every person, not having a right to custody, who maliciously takes, entices away, keeps, withholds, or conceals any child with the intent to detain or conceal that child from a lawful custodian shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section <a href=\"/pen/1170\">1170</a> for two, three, or four years, a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both that fine and imprisonment.</p>","text":"Every person, not having a right to custody, who maliciously takes, entices away, keeps, withholds, or conceals any child with the intent to detain or conceal that child from a lawful custodian shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both that fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 for two, three, or four years, a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both that fine and imprisonment.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/penal-code/child-abduction-278","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}