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California Penal Code Section 537e

Legal Research Home > California Lawyer > Penal Code > California Penal Code Section 537e

(a) Any person who knowingly buys, sells, receives, disposes
of, conceals, or has in his or her possession any personal property
from which the manufacturer's serial number, identification number,
electronic serial number, or any other distinguishing number or
identification mark has been removed, defaced, covered, altered, or
destroyed, is guilty of a public offense, punishable as follows:
   (1) If the value of the property does not exceed four hundred
dollars ($400), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding six
months.
   (2) If the value of the property exceeds four hundred dollars
($400), by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year.
   (3) If the property is an integrated computer chip or panel of a
value of four hundred dollars ($400) or more, by imprisonment in the
state prison for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years or by imprisonment in a
county jail not exceeding one year.
   For purposes of this subdivision, "personal property" includes,
but is not limited to, the following:
   (1) Any television, radio, recorder, phonograph, telephone, piano,
or any other musical instrument or sound equipment.
   (2) Any washing machine, sewing machine, vacuum cleaner, or other
household appliance or furnishings.
   (3) Any typewriter, adding machine, dictaphone, or any other
office equipment or furnishings.
   (4) Any computer, printed circuit, integrated chip or panel, or
other part of a computer.
   (5) Any tool or similar device, including any technical or
scientific equipment.
   (6) Any bicycle, exercise equipment, or any other entertainment or
recreational equipment.
   (7) Any electrical or mechanical equipment, contrivance, material,
or piece of apparatus or equipment.
   (8) Any clock, watch, watch case, or watch movement.
   (9) Any vehicle or vessel, or any component part thereof.
   (b) When property described in subdivision (a) comes into the
custody of a peace officer it shall become subject to the provision
of Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 1407) of Title 10 of Part 2,
relating to the disposal of stolen or embezzled property.  Property
subject to this section shall be considered stolen or embezzled
property for the purposes of that chapter, and prior to being
disposed of, shall have an identification mark imbedded or engraved
in, or permanently affixed to it.
   (c) This section does not apply to those cases or instances where
any of the changes or alterations enumerated in subdivision (a) have
been customarily made or done as an established practice in the
ordinary and regular conduct of business, by the original
manufacturer, or by his or her duly appointed direct representative,
or under specific authorization from the original manufacturer.

Last modified: January 12, 2009