SECTIONS 11530-11538 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 11530-11538

11530. As used in this subdivision, the following terms have the
following meanings:
(a) "Loiter" means to delay or linger without a lawful purpose for
being on the property and for the purpose of committing a crime as
opportunity may be discovered.
(b) "Public place" means an area open to the public or exposed to
public view and includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas,
parks, driveways, parking lots, automobiles, whether moving or not,
and buildings open to the general public, including those which serve
food or drink, or provide entertainment, and the doorways and
entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them.

11532. (a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public
place in a manner and under circumstances manifesting the purpose and
with the intent to commit an offense specified in Chapter 6
(commencing with Section 11350) and Chapter 6.5 (commencing with
Section 11400).
(b) Among circumstances that may be considered in determining
whether a person has the requisite intent to engage in drug-related
activity are that the person:
(1) Acts as a "look-out."
(2) Transfers small objects or packages for currency in a furtive
fashion.
(3) Tries to conceal himself or herself or any object that
reasonably could be involved in an unlawful drug-related activity.
(4) Uses signals or language indicative of summoning purchasers of
illegal drugs.
(5) Repeatedly beckons to, stops, attempts to stop, or engages in
conversations with passersby, whether on foot or in a motor vehicle,
indicative of summoning purchasers of illegal drugs.
(6) Repeatedly passes to or receives from passersby, whether on
foot or in a motor vehicle, money or small objects.
(7) Is under the influence of a controlled substance or possesses
narcotic or drug paraphernalia. For the purposes of this paragraph,
"narcotic or drug paraphernalia" means any device, contrivance,
instrument, or apparatus designed or marketed for the use of smoking,
injecting, ingesting, or consuming marijuana, hashish, PCP, or any
controlled substance, including, but not limited to, roach clips,
cigarette papers, and rollers designed or marketed for use in smoking
a controlled substance.
(8) Has been convicted in any court within this state, within five
years prior to the arrest under this chapter, of any violation
involving the use, possession, or sale of any of the substances
referred to in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 11350) or Chapter
6.5 (commencing with Section 11400), or has been convicted of any
violation of those provisions or substantially similar laws of any
political subdivision of this state or of any other state.
(9) Is currently subject to any order prohibiting his or her
presence in any high drug activity geographic area.
(10) Has engaged, within six months prior to the date of arrest
under this section, in any behavior described in this subdivision,
with the exception of paragraph (8), or in any other behavior
indicative of illegal drug-related activity.
(c) The list of circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) is not
exclusive. The circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) should be
considered particularly salient if they occur in an area that is
known for unlawful drug use and trafficking, or if they occur on or
in premises that have been reported to law enforcement as a place
suspected of unlawful drug activity. Any other relevant circumstances
may be considered in determining whether a person has the requisite
intent. Moreover, no one circumstance or combination of circumstances
is in itself determinative of intent. Intent must be determined
based on an evaluation of the particular circumstances of each case.

11534. If any section, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or
portion of this chapter is for any reason held invalid or
unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that portion
shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent provision, and
that holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion
thereof.

11536. A violation of any provision of this chapter is a
misdemeanor.

11538. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a local governing body
from adopting and enforcing laws consistent with this chapter. Where
local laws duplicate or supplement this chapter, this chapter shall
be construed as providing alternative remedies and not to preempt the
field.