Does the proviso "not having a right of custody" mean that only a person who does not have a right to custody may violate section 278 of the Penal Code?

California, United States of America


The following excerpt is from M.S. v. R.D., G050302 (Cal. App. 2015):

"That manifestly is not the purpose of the proviso that only a person 'not having a right of custody' may violate [Penal Code] section 278 [prescribing punishment for child abduction]. Rather, its purpose is to acknowledge that in the absence of an order or decree affecting the physical custody of the child either parent is privileged (peaceably) to take exclusive possession of the child. [Citations.] Prior to a judicial order depriving a parent of full custody both parents have 'a right of custody.' [Citation.]" (People v. Irwin (1984) 155 Cal.App.3d 891, 896-897, italics added.) An order granting sole custody to one parent, and thus depriving the other parent of custody, such as the judgment in this case, alters the landscape, and makes the presumptions of Family Code section 3010 inapplicable.

Other Questions


Does section 654 of the California Penal Code allow for an act or omission that is punishable by different sections of the Penal Code to be punished by one or more sections? (California, United States of America)
What are the elements of a violation of section 422 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, section 422(1) of the Criminal Code, and what is the test for that violation? (California, United States of America)
What is the effect of section 633.5 of the California Penal Code on a phone recording pursuant to section 632 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be found to have committed a single physical act for purposes of section 654 of the California Criminal Code, Section 215 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Section 422 of the Criminal Code for carjacking? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant who has been given a life sentence for an assault with intent to murder be convicted of the crime under section 12022(a) of the Penal Code section 120 22(b) and section 5.5 of the Criminal Code? (California, United States of America)
What is the burden of proof required for defendant to have his felony conviction of violating Vehicle Code section 10851 reduced to a misdemeanor under Penal Code section 1170.18? (California, United States of America)
How has section 490.2 of the California Penal Code been interpreted in the context of Section 487 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
Is a defendant's reliance on evidence code section 730 of the Evidence Code Section 730 a violation of his constitutional right to access a mental health expert? (California, United States of America)
Can a defendant be convicted of a lesser included crime of the same crime under both sections of the California Penal Code and Section 654 of the Penal Code? (California, United States of America)
Does Section 26 of the Penal Code section 2600 of the California Penal Code apply? (California, United States of America)
X



Alexi white


"The most advanced legal research software ever built."

Trusted by top litigators from across North America.