CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW
...Enforcement
......Custody & Visitation Orders
.........Criminal Action
11 Cards On This Topic:
  • Taking or concealing child that deprives another of right to custody or visitation
  • Exceptions to Pen. Code §278.5; duties of person who conceals child in good faith.
  • Kidnapping statute—nonparent.
  • As D need only raise reasonable doubt whether facts underlying PC 278.7(a) [child abduction] defense exist, trial court erred prejudicially in requiring D to prove those facts by a preponderance of the evidence.
  • In child custody deprivation case, court erred in not giving specific intent jury instruction where crime requires malice; error harmless given overwhelming evidence of malice.
  • In custody deprivation case, error to instruct jury on elements of affirmative defense over defendant's counsel's objection where instruction contradicted defense theory; error harmless.
  • D's acts of harboring Cs outside of Cal. and failing to return them to custodial parent in violation of Cal. custody order subjected D to prosecution here.
  • D who abducted Cs during visitation not entitled to statutory defense of necessity where he did not comply with notice requirements.
  • Abandonment for purposes of child abduction conviction defined; F lacked "right of custody of child."
  • D properly convicted of separate custody order violations for absconding with his 3 children, thus violating 3 separate orders re visitation and custody.
  • Grant of right to "supervision of custody" to Child Protective Services is not "right of [physical] custody," so subsequent taking of minor does not constitute violation of Pen. Code §278.5.