Penal Code 247 PC - Shooting a gun at an unoccupied vehicle, building, or aircraft

Criminal defense attorney Neil Shouse explains the California crime of shooting a firearm at an unoccupied or uninhabited building, aircraft, or vehicle. More info at https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/defense/penal-code/247b/ or call (855) 999-7755 for a free consultation. If someone in California takes target practice by shooting bullet holes into an old, unoccupied plane, helicopter, a junk car or truck, or an old abandoned building, they are violating penal code 247, sometimes called 247 PC or Penal Code 247(b). Or perhaps they shoot their firearm, such as a pistol, shotgun, or rifle, into their neighbor's house or car, or their ex-husband's private jet, out of revenge or anger, or just to play a trick on them; if the vehicle, aircraft or building is uninhabited at the time of the shooting, then they have violated Penal Code 247. And if they shoot at a building, vehicle, or aircraft when there is someone inside, then the crime becomes much more serious. But penal code 247 only applies when there is no one inside one of these crafts or structures. 247 PC can be treated as a misdemeanor or a felony, it is what is referred to as a "wobbler" under California law. As a misdemeanor it carries up to 1 year in jail, as a felony it can lead to up to 3 years in jail or prison, so it's a serious offense. However many innocent people get blamed for penal code 247. Maybe you were just merely present, and weren't the one who fired the gun in the first place. Maybe you were wrongly identified by a witness, or the victim of mistaken identity. Maybe you had a gun for self-protection, or hunting, but the bullet holes were already in the vehicle, and you were not the one who fired at the vehicle or building. And if the police violated your rights with an illegal search or seizure, then the evidence could be thrown out of court, and the charges dropped. If you or a loved one is charged with a crime we invite you to contact us at Shouse Law Group. We can provide a free consultation in office or by phone. We have local offices in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Long Beach, Orange County, Ventura, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and throughout California.