Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

What is criminal law?

A friend and i were skating on the peer in Huntington Beach and were asked to get off our skates and walk. We did but when we were leaving we skated off still on the peer, knowing that they (lifeguards)told us not to. They followed and talked to us and said that if they wanted to, for that little crime they could have the police come down to the pier, arrest us, finger print us, and take us to court because that is a criminal offense. My question for you is this: Is that small thing really a criminal offense and could they really do all that stuff they said they could do? And if they could not do that, what could/should have they done to take proper actions?


Asked on 2/27/05, 9:36 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Philip Iadevaia Law Offices of Philip A. Iadevaia

Re: What is criminal law?

By skating on the pier you may have violated a city ordinance prohibiting skating. The law is there because skating may be a hazard to people walking. What the police would do is write you a citation, but not take you to jail or "book" you for vioaltion of an ordinance. Usually, such a violation is only an "infraction" and does not require booking. You would simply promise to show up on court and pay a fine. You would not be finger printed.

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Answered on 2/28/05, 3:02 pm


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