Statutes & Charge Language

Police Penal Codes & Criminal Statutes

A clear, practical walk-through of how police penal codes, criminal statutes, and charge language actually work in the real world. Learn how officers talk about “PC 211” or “Title 18” and how those numbers connect to real laws in your state.

Last updated: November 2025 • Training reference only • Not legal advice

What Is a Penal Code?

When officers talk about a “penal code” or quote statute numbers, they are referring to the formal criminal laws passed by a state legislature. Those laws live in a published collection such as the Penal Code, Criminal Code, or Revised Statutes.

In California, for example, officers shorthand charges as PC 211 (robbery) or PC 459 (burglary). In Texas, they may say PC 22.01 for assault. In other states, the same crime is cited as “Title 18, Section 2701,” “Chapter 13 assault,” or a similar format.

Penal Codes vs. 10-Codes

10-codes are radio shorthand (“10-4,” “10-8”), while penal codes are actual written laws used in charging documents, warrants, and court records. They work together, but they are not the same thing.

When you say “10-16 domestic” on the air, dispatch and responding units know roughly what type of call it is. But when you book a suspect and write a report, you need the exact statute number and charge wording from your state code.

How Criminal Statutes Are Organized

Nearly every U.S. state organizes its criminal laws into titles, chapters, and sections. The format looks different on paper, but the basic idea is the same: keep related crimes grouped together under one logical structure.

Titles

A title is a big bucket of related law: Criminal Code, Traffic, Juvenile, Evidence, etc. Officers usually care most about the title that houses the criminal code (e.g., Title 13, Title 18, PC, or 720 ILCS).

Chapters & Articles

Within each title, offenses are grouped into chapters or articles: crimes against persons, property crimes, weapons, drug offenses, traffic crimes, and so on.

Sections

The smallest chunk of law is the section. This is where you see the exact elements of the offense, definitions, penalty levels, and any special conditions or enhancements.

Example: Same idea, different labels

One state might list “Assault in the 2nd degree” under Section 120.05, another might call it § 2702, and a third might label it Title 13, Chapter 12. The structure is different, but the concept is identical: a numbered section defining the crime.

Why Penal Code Numbers Matter in the Field

  • Reports: Your narrative describes what happened; the statute number tells the prosecutor which law was violated.
  • Arrests: Statute citations appear on arrest reports, citations, and booking paperwork. Getting them wrong can create headaches later.
  • Charging decisions: Supervisors, detectives, and prosecutors use statute numbers to evaluate elements and decide on appropriate charges.
  • Data and stats: Agencies track crime trends by statute. If the wrong section is used, data can be skewed.

Penal code language vs. plain English

Criminal statutes are written in legal language. They are precise, but they aren’t always easy to read at 0300 after a long shift. A good officer learns to translate between:

  • Plain-English description (“He punched the victim in the face without warning.”)
  • Charge language (“Assault, causing bodily injury.”)
  • Statute citation (e.g., PC 245, 18 § 2701, etc.)

This page gives you the big-picture framework. Your specific statute language comes from your state code and local prosecutor guidance.

Typical Penal Code Categories Used by Police

While every state names and numbers its laws differently, nearly all criminal codes share the same core offense families. Here are the ones officers see most often.

Crimes Against Persons

These statutes cover violence or threats against a person’s body or liberty: assault, battery, homicide, kidnapping, robbery, sex crimes, and related offenses.

  • Simple assault / battery
  • Aggravated assault / felony assault
  • Murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide
  • Kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment
  • Sexual assault / sexual battery / rape
  • Robbery and armed robbery
  • Domestic violence & special relationship enhancements

Crimes Against Property

Property crimes focus on unlawful taking, damage, or interference with things rather than people: theft, burglary, criminal mischief, trespass, fraud, and similar offenses.

  • Theft / larceny / shoplifting
  • Burglary (residential, commercial, vehicle)
  • Criminal mischief / vandalism
  • Trespass and unlawful entry
  • Fraud, forgery, and identity theft
  • Arson and reckless burning

Drug & Alcohol Offenses

Drug statutes cover possession, distribution, trafficking, and manufacture of controlled substances, plus paraphernalia offenses.

  • Possession of controlled substances
  • Possession with intent to distribute
  • Manufacturing or trafficking offenses
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Alcohol-related criminal statutes (minor in possession, furnishing to minors, etc.)

Weapons & Public Safety Offenses

Weapons statutes cover possession, carrying, and use of firearms or other dangerous weapons. Public order offenses focus on disorderly conduct, rioting, and related behavior.

  • Unlawful possession of a firearm (e.g., by felon)
  • Carrying concealed / improper display
  • Brandishing or menacing with a weapon
  • Reckless discharge or shooting into dwellings
  • Disorderly conduct, riots, and public disturbance offenses

State-by-State Penal Code References

Every state does this a little differently. That’s why this site includes a dedicated state police codes index where you can drill into how your specific state organizes its criminal laws and shorthand.

Use the link below to open the state index, then choose your state. Each page gives you:

  • A quick overview of how that state’s criminal code is structured.
  • Plain-English explanations of common offense categories.
  • Examples of local shorthand used by officers and trainers.
  • Cross-links back to 10-codes and radio language.

This creates a complete picture: radio shorthand + penal code structure + local practices all in one place.

Jump to Your State

Ready to see how this looks for your state specifically?

Open State Police Codes Index

Or, if you want to understand how officers talk on the air while they work those statutes, take a look at our dedicated 10-codes guide:

Learn Police 10-Codes

Tips for Recruits Learning Penal Codes

  1. Get your official statute book or online link. Many states publish free online versions; your academy may provide a printed or PDF copy.
  2. Focus on the top 20–40 charges first. Start with the offenses you see most in patrol: simple assault, DUI, theft, burglary, domestic violence, drug possession, and key weapons violations.
  3. Learn the elements, not just the number. Being able to say “PC 459” is useless if you don’t know the legal elements you have to prove in your report.
  4. Build flashcards by call type. Group statutes by domestic incidents, traffic stops, property crimes, and person crimes.
  5. Review case law updates. Many agencies publish legal bulletins summarizing major court decisions that affect how statutes can be enforced.

How Civilians Can Use Penal Code References

If you’re a student, journalist, or everyday reader, penal code references can feel intimidating. This site keeps things plain-language and non-technical:

  • We describe offenses in everyday terms, not legal jargon.
  • We avoid giving legal advice or telling you what to plead.
  • We focus on how officers talk about and apply these statutes on the street.

For legal questions about your specific case or citation, you must contact a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction. This site is a training and information resource only.

Penal Code FAQ

Short answers to common questions about police penal codes and criminal statutes.

Is there a single U.S. Penal Code?

No. Each state and the federal government have their own separate set of criminal statutes. Some states call it a “Penal Code,” others call it a “Criminal Code” or “Revised Statutes.” The numbering, wording, and elements can be very different.

Why do officers use short penal code numbers instead of full descriptions?

It saves time and reduces confusion. Saying “PC 211” or “Title 18, 3701” is faster than repeating the full offense name every time. Everyone on the shift knows what that shorthand means because they work from the same statute book.

Can two states use the same number for totally different crimes?

Yes. Penal code numbering is not standardized across states. One state’s “Section 211” might be robbery, while another state’s 211 could be something completely different or may not exist at all.

Does this site list every statute for every state?

No. Listing every statute would turn this into a raw law library, which already exists through your state’s official website. Instead, we focus on big-picture structure, common offense categories, and officer-friendly explanations, then link you toward your state’s official resources.

Where do I find the official text of my state’s penal code?

Most states publish their statutes online at no cost through an official government site. Check your state’s legislature or law revision commission website, or ask your academy, prosecutor’s office, or law library staff for the current link.

Legal disclaimer: This page is for training and informational use only. It does not provide legal advice, does not create an attorney–client relationship, and may not reflect the most recent statutory changes. Always consult current official statutes and qualified legal counsel.

Connect Penal Codes to Real Calls and Radio Traffic

To really understand how officers use penal codes, study them alongside real-world call types and radio language. Use the links below to keep building the full picture.

Browse State Police Codes Explore Police 10-Codes