Can a single act or omission constitute more than one crime?

Section 654 states that: "An act or omission which is made punishable in different ways by different provisions of this code may be punished under either of such provisions, but in no case can it be punished under more than one...." California law thus bars multiple punishment for a single act or omission even though that act violates more than one statute, and therefore constitutes more than one crime. Where the same conduct gives rise to two charges, the prosecution may seek conviction on both crimes, but only one may be punished. (People v. Beamon (1973) 8 Cal.3d 625, 636-639, 105 Cal.Rptr. 681, 504 P.2d 905.)