Section 1242 | CALCRIM (Jury Instructions)

limited to confinement in jail or prison. (People v. Agnew (1940) 16 Cal.2d 655, 659
[107 P.2d 601]; People v. Haney (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 308, 313 [142 Cal.Rptr.
186].)
Related Instructions
CALCRIM No. 1242, Misdemeanor False Imprisonment.
If the defendant is charged with false imprisonment for purposes of protection from
arrest or use as a shield (Pen. Code, § 210.5), see CALCRIM No. 1241, False
Imprisonment: Hostage.
AUTHORITY
•
Elements. Pen. Code, §§ 236, 237; People v. Agnew (1940) 16 Cal.2d 655,
659–660 [107 P.2d 601].
•
Confinement in Jail or Prison Not Required. People v. Agnew (1940) 16 Cal.2d
655, 659 [107 P.2d 601]; People v. Haney (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 308, 313 [142
Cal.Rptr. 186].
•
General-Intent Crime. People v. Fernandez (1994) 26 Cal.App.4th 710, 717–718
[31 Cal.Rptr.2d 677]; People v. Olivencia (1988) 204 Cal.App.3d 1391,
1399–1400 [251 Cal.Rptr. 880]; People v. Swanson (1983) 142 Cal.App.3d 104,
109 [190 Cal.Rptr. 768].
•
Menace Defined. People v. Matian (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 480, 484–486 [41
Cal.Rptr.2d 459].
•
Violence Defined. People v. Babich (1993) 14 Cal.App.4th 801, 806 [18
Cal.Rptr.2d 60].
COMMENTARY
The instruction includes a definition of “violence” because it has a specific meaning
in the context of felony false imprisonment. In addition, force and violence are
separate elements with different meanings that must be made clear to the jury.
(People v. Babich (1993) 14 Cal.App.4th 801, 806–807 [18 Cal.Rptr.2d 60].) Force
is required for a finding of both misdemeanor and felony false imprisonment, while
violence is only required for the felony. “Violence” is a force greater than that
reasonably necessary to effect the restraint. (People v. Hendrix (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th
1458, 1462 [10 Cal.Rptr.2d 922].)
A definition of “menace” is also included. Menace has a specific meaning in the
context of felony false imprisonment. (People v. Babich, supra, 14 Cal.App.4th at p.
806.) Two categories of menace include a threat involving either the use of a deadly
weapon or verbal threats of harm. (People v. Matian (1995) 35 Cal.App.4th 480,
485–486 [41 Cal.Rptr.2d 459].) “Menace” is not a mere modifier of “violence.”
(People v. Arvanites (1971) 17 Cal.App.3d 1052, 1060 [95 Cal.Rptr. 493].)
The committee found only one case that involved fraud and deceit. (People v. Rios
(1986) 177 Cal.App.3d 445, 450–451 [222 Cal.Rptr. 913]; see also Parnell v.
Superior Court (1981) 119 Cal.App.3d 392, 409–410 [173 Cal.Rptr. 906].) Thus,
this instruction focuses on the use of violence or menace to restrain the victim. If
CALCRIM No. 1240
KIDNAPPING
994

•
Confinement in Jail or Prison Not Required. People v. Agnew (1940) 16 Cal.2d
655, 659 [107 P.2d 601]; People v. Haney (1977) 75 Cal.App.3d 308, 313 [142
Cal.Rptr. 186].
RELATED ISSUES
General-Intent Crime
False imprisonment is a general-intent crime. (People v. Fernandez (1994) 26
Cal.App.4th 710, 716–718 [31 Cal.Rptr.2d 677]; People v. Olivencia (1988) 204
Cal.App.3d 1391 [251 Cal.Rptr. 880]; People v. Swanson (19