California Criminal Trial Manual

Enhancements

Overview // Common Enhancements // Common Probation Ineligible Enhancements // Common DUI Enhancements // PC 451.1(a) // PC 666.5(a) // PC 667(a)(1) // PC 667.5(a) // PC 667.7 // PC 1203.06 // PC 12022(a)(1)-(d) // PC 12022.1 // PC 12022.5(a), (b) // PC 12022.53(b)-(d) // PC 12022.7(a)-(e) // VC 23558 // Enhancement Limitations // PC 654

Overview
  • Enhancements
    • Enhancement provisions generally increase the punishment for specified criminal acts.
    • “They focus on aspects of the criminal act that are not always present and that warrant additional punishment.” (People v. Ahmed (2011) 53 Cal.4th 156, 163.)
    • Enhancement Types:
      • (1) those which go to the nature of the offender; and
      • (2) those which go to the nature of the offense.
  • Prior Convictions
    • Priors used for enhancement are added once the total term of imprisonment, not to each separate count or case
  • Consecutive subordinate term for enhancement
    • 1/3 of MT for the DSL and 1/3 of the selected term for the enhancement

Common Enhancements

PCDescriptionSentence
PC 451.1(a)Arson + Agg Circ3-4-5 c/s
PC 666.5(a)Prior 10851/496D + new one2-3-4 1170(h) non-wobbler
PC 667(a)(1)Nickle Priors+5y c/s for each prior serious felony conviction
PC 1170.12(c)(1)Prior KTriad doubles
PC 1170.12(c)(2)Third Strike25-life
PC 12022(a)(1)/(2)Principal Armed w/ Firearm+1y c/s (CDC)+3y c/s if assault weapon
PC 12022(b)(1)Personally use deadly weapon+1y c/s (CDC); makes S Fel
PC 12022(b)(2)Personally use deadly weapon: Carjacking+1-2-3 c/s (CDC); makes S Fel
PC 12022(c)Personally armed w/ firearm: sales+3-4-5 c/s (1170h)
PC 12022.1Felony on Bail/OR for Felony+2y c/s
PC 12022.5(a)Personally use Firearm+3-4-10 c/s; makes S/V Fel
PC 12022.5(b)Personally use Assault Firearm+5-6-10 c/s; makes S/V Fel
PC 12022.53(b)Personally use firearm: designated felony+10y c/s; makes S/V Fel
PC 12022.53(c)Discharging Firearm: Designated Felony+20y c/s; makes S/V Fel
PC 12022.7(a)Personally Inflicting GBI+3y c/s; makes S/V Fel
PC 12022.7(e)Personally Inflict GBI: DV+3-4-5 c/s; makes S/V Fel

Common Probation Ineligible Enhancements

PCDescriptionProbation Eligibility
PC 1203(e)(1)Specified F prior + armed w/ deadly weapon during prior OR present offenseProbation presumptively ineligible
PC 1203(e)(2)Use of deadly weapon during crimeProbation presumptively ineligible
PC 1203(e)(3)Willfully inflicts GBIProbation presumptively ineligible
PC 1203(e)(4)Two prior feloniesProbation presumptively ineligible
PC 1203(e)(6)(A)Prior F + armed w/ deadly weaponProbation presumptively ineligible
PC 1203(e)(6)(B)Prior F + use/attempt to use deadly weaponProbation presumptively ineligible
PC 1203(k)Felony probation + new S/V FelonyProbation ineligible
PC 1203.06(a)(1)Personal use of firearm + specified FProbation ineligible + makes S/V
PC 1203.06(a)(2)Specified F + personally armed w/ firearm during prior or current crimeProbation ineligible
PC 1203.085(a)Parole for S/V F + new non-wobblerProbation ineligible
PC 1203.085(b)Parole for F + new S/V felonyProbation ineligible

Common DUI Enhancements

PCDescriptionSentence
VC 23550DUI w/n 10 years of 3 prior DUIs16-2-3 (1170h)
VC 23550.5(a)DUI w/n 10 years of prior felony DUI or 192(c)(1)16-2-3 (CDC)
VC 23558Prox. cause bodily injury for multiple victims+1y per victim
VC 23582(a)Speeding/reckless+60d c/s
VC 23566VC 23153 & 2 DUI priors (misd or fel)2-3-4 (CDC)

Enhancement Lookup

How to Use This Tool:

Type crime/enhancement name or statute above, then click a result from the dropdown.

  • Relevant statues will appear in a dropdown box.
  • Click the one that applies. The relevant offense info will appear below the search box.
  • Click anywhere else on the page to make the dropdown box disappear. Repeat steps as needed.
PC 451.1(a) (Arson + Agg Circumstance)
Elements
  • Elements – one of the following is true:
    • (1) Prior felony conviction for 451 or 452
    • (2) Emergency personnel suffered GBI as a result of offense
    • (3) D proximately caused GBI > 1 victim in any single 451
    • (4) D proximately caused multiple structures to burn in any single 451
    • (5) PC 451(a)(1)-(3) & committed by use of device designed to accelerate the fire or delay the ignition
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Agg circumstance must be alleged & proven
Punishment
  • +3-4-5 c/s
PC 666.5(a) (Prior 10851/496D + New One)
Elements
  • (1) Prior conviction for felony VC 10851 or PC 496D
  • (2) Current offense is felony VC 10851 or PC 496D
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Does not apply to attempts
  • Need not be proven at PH (simply must be alleged in information). (PC 666.5(c).)
Punishment
  • Elevates triad to 2-3-4 // PC 1170h non-wobbler
PC 667(a)(1) (Nickel Priors)
Elements
  • (1) Present offense is serious felony (see PC 1192.7(c))
  • (2) Prior conviction for serious felony
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Court can strike. (People v. Shaw (2020) 56 Cal.App.5th 582.)
  • Separate Conviction. Cases brought in separate accusatory pleadings which result in a plea and sentencing on the same dates in a single court (but without actual consolidation) are separate priors. (People v. Thomas (1990) 219 Cal.App.3d  134.)
  • Juvenile Strikes. D must have been age 16 or older at the time of offense. (PC 667(d)(3)(A); PC 1170.12(b)(3)(A).)
    • Juvenile offenses that are not strikes (not listed in W&I § 707(b)):
      • Voluntary manslaughter
      • Rape committed by means other than force, violence or threat of GBI
      • Simple kidnapping committed other than in the course of a carjacking and w/o infliction of bodily harm
      • A felony in which D was alleged and found to have inflicted GBI
      • Residential burglary
  • No requirement that the D serve time in prison
  • CALCRIM 3100; 3101
Punishment
  • +5yr enhancement for each prior serious felony conviction (separately brought and tried)
  • For ISL: Nickel is added to each ISL count
PC 667.5(a) (Violent Prior(s) + Violent Offense)
Elements
  • (1) Present violent felony conviction with separate CDC term
  • (2) No 10-year washout (D not in CDC or commit felony offense)
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
Punishment
  • +3yr c/s (CDC) for each prior separate prison term
PC 667.7 (Habitual Offender)
Elements
  • (1) Current offense involves GBI or force likely to cause GBI
  • (2) 2 prior convictions resulting in separate prison terms for enumerated violent crimes
  • (3) Washout period does not apply – D did not remain free of prison custody and/or felony conviction for period of 10 years
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Enumerated Violent Felonies (PC 667.7(a)):
    • Murder, attempted murder
    • Voluntary manslaughter
    • Mayhem
    • Rape by force, violence ,or fear of immediate & unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
    • Oral copulation by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful injury on the victim or another person
    • Sodomy by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
    • Lewd acts on a child under the age of 14 years by use of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
    • PC 289(a) where act is accomplished against the victim’s will by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person
    • Kidnapping as punished in former PC 208(d), or for ransom, extortion or robbery
    • Robbery involving use of force or a deadly weapon
    • Carjacking involving use of a deadly weapon
    • Assault with intent to commit murder
    • Assault with a deadly weapon
    • Assault with a force likely to produce GBI
    • Assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy, oral copulation, sexual penetration in violation of PC 289, or lewd and lascivious acts on a child
    • Arson of a structure
    • Escape or attempted escape by an inmate with force or violence in violation of PC 4530(a) or PC 4532
    • PC 18745, PC 18750, PC 18755, PC 18740
    • Any felony in which person inflicted GBI as provided in PC 12022.53 or PC 12022.7
    • Any felony punishable by death or life imprisonment or LWOP
  • Attempts. Case law consistently holds that an attempt does not constitute a prior conviction unless the relevant statute expressly includes attempts. (People v. Kiger (2022) 76 Cal.App.5th 1147, 1150.)
Punishment
  • 20-Life if 2 qualifying priors
  • LWOP if > 2 qualifying priors
PC 1203.06
Elements
  • Elements – PC 1203.06(a)(1)
    • (1) D personally used firearm
    • (2) in commission (or attempted commission) of specified offense.
      • Specified Offenses: Murder; robbery; kidnapping; lewd/lascivious act; res burg; rape; assault w/ intent commit specified sexual offense; escape; carjacking; agg mayhem; torture; continuous sexual abuse of child; felony PC 136.1 or PC 137; sodomy; oral copulation; sexual penetration; aggravated sexual assault of child
  • Elements – PC 1203.06(a)(2)
    • (1) Prior conviction for specified offense (above) OR assault w/ intent to commit murder under former PC 217
    • (2) D personally armed w/ firearm during present offense OR armed w/ firearm at the time of arrest for present offense
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Armed with a firearm means to knowingly carry or have available or have available for use a firearm as a means of offense or defense. (PC 1203.06(c)(1).)
  • Used a firearm means to display a firearm in a menacing manner, to intentionally fire it, to intentionally strike or a hit a human being with it, or to use it in any manner that qualifies under PC 12022.5. (PC 1203.06(c)(2).)
  • Un-strikable under PC 1385. (PC 1203.06(a).)
Punishment
  • Mandatory probation ineligible
PC 12022(a)(1), (a)(2) (Armed w/ Firearm/Assault Weapon)
Elements
  • PC 12022(a)(1) Elements
    • (1) D is principal in offense
    • (2) D or another principal is armed w/ a firearm
    • (3) Being armed w/ a firearm is not an element of the offense
  • PC 12022(a)(2) Elements
    • (1) D is principal in offense
    • (2) D or another principal is armed w/ an assault weapon/machine gun
    • (3) Being armed w/ a firearm is not an element of the offense
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Bail: add $25,000
  • Armed means to carry or have available for use as a means of offense or defense. (People v. Bland (1995) 10 Cal.4th 991.)
  • PC 12022(a) is lesser included offense of PC 12022(b) enhancement. (In re A.L. (2015) 233 Cal.App.4th 496, 504.)
  • Assault weapon is defined in PC 30510 or PC 30515
  • Machine gun is defined in PC 16880
  • Principal. “All persons concerned in the commission of a crime…and whether they directly commit the act constituting the offense, or aid and abet in its commission, or, not being present, have advised and encouraged its commission…are principals in any crime so committed.” (PC 31.)
Punishment
  • PC 12022(a)(1)
    • +1y c/s
  • PC 12022(a)(2)
    • +3y c/s

Punishment: PC 12022(a)(1) +1y c/s // PC 12022(a)(2) +3y c/s

PC 12022(b)(1), (b)(2) (Personal Use Deadly Weapon)
Elements
  • PC 12022(b)(1) Elements
    • (1) Personal use of deadly weapon
    • (2) Use of deadly weapon not an element of offense
  • PC 12022(b)(2) Elements
    • (1) Personal use of deadly weapon
    • (2) During commission of carjacking (or attempt)
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
Punishment
  • PC 12022(b)(1)
    • Adds 1 year additional consecutive term [CDC]
    • Makes offense serious felony (PC 1192.7(c)(23).)
  • PC 12022(b)(2)
    • Adds 1-2-3 additional consecutive term (CDC)
    • Makes offense serious felony (PC 1192.7(c)(23).)
PC 12022(c), (d) (Armed w/ Firearm: Drug Sales)
Elements
  • PC 12022(c) (Personally Armed w/ Firearm: Drug Sales) Elements
    • (1) D is personally armed w/ a firearm
      • Available for use
    • (2) During commission of drug sales offense
  • PC 12022(d) (Armed w/ Firearm: Drug Sales) Elements
    • (1) D is principal in offense
    • (2) D or another principal is armed w/ a firearm (and D knows other is armed)
    • (3) During commission of drug sales (or attempt) offense
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Included drug sales offenses: HS 11351; 11351.5; 11352; 11366.5; 11366.6; 11378; 11378.5; 11379; 11379.5; 11379.6
Punishment
  • PC 12022(c)
    • Adds 3-4-5 additional consecutive term [PC 1170(h)]
  • PC 12022(d)
    • Adds 1-2-3 additional consecutive term [PC 1170(h)]
PC 12022.1 (Felony on Bail/OR)
Elements
  • (1) D commits a new felony offense while released on bail/OR on a prior felony offense
  • (2) D is convicted of both the new felony offense and the prior felony offense
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
Punishment
  • + 2 years mandatory consecutive
PC 12022.5(a), (b) (Personally Use Firearm)
Elements
  • PC 12022.5(a) // Personally Use Firearm Elements
    • (1) D personally used firearm in commission of offense
    • (2) Use of firearm is not an element of the offense
  • PC 12022.5(b) // Personally Use Assault Weapon Elements
    • (1) D personally used assault weapon/machine gun in commission of offense
    • (2) Use of firearm is not an element of the offense
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Typically cannot be an element of the crime, exception for PC 245. (PC 12022.5(d).)
  • Court can strike. (People v. Fuimaono (2019) 32 Cal.App.5th 132.)
  • Assault weapon is defined in PC 30510 or PC 30515
  • Machine gun is defined in PC 16880
  • Aiding & Abetting. A person commits a crime when he aids and abets it. (People v. Johnson (1974) 38 Cal.App.3d 1, 12.)
  • Use. There are no precise formulas, or particular fact patterns to follow, to determine whether a gun has been ‘used’ for purposes of a sentence enhancement. (Alvarado v. Superior Court (2007) 146 Cal.App.4th 993, 1002.)
  • No specific intent required. (People v. Wardell (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 1484, 1488.)
  • Need not be loaded or operable.
  • Applies if personally use a firearm but are vicariously liable for the underlying offense
  • Does not apply to passive possession of a firearm offenses
  • Multiple weapon enhancements allowed for multiple crimes committed on a single occasion
  • Probation ineligible for specified crimes (includes attempts). Even if court strikes PC 12022.5 enhancement. (PC 1203.06(a).)
    • Murder; robbery; kidnapping; lewd/lascivious act; res burg; rape; assault w/ intent commit specified sexual offense; escape; carjacking; aggravated mayhem; torture; continuous sexual abuse of child; felony PC 136.1 or PC 137; sodomy; oral copulation; sexual penetration; aggravated sexual assault of child
  • Mandatory probation ineligible for listed crimes in PC 1203.06 (even if court strikes the enhancement of PC 12022.5)
Punishment
  • PC 12022.5(a)
    • 3-4-10 additional consecutive term
    • Makes serious & violent felony
  • PC 12022.5(b)
    • 5-6-10 additional consecutive term
    • Makes offense serious & violent felony (PC 1192.7(c)(8); PC 667.5(c)(8).)
PC 12022.53(b)-(d) (Personally Use/Discharge Firearm + Designated Felony)
Elements
  • PC 12022.53(b) // Personally Use Firearm + Designated Felony
    • (1) D personally used firearm
    • (2) While committed designed felony in PC 12022.53(a)
  • PC 12022.53(c) // Discharge Firearm + Designated Felony
    • (1) D personally discharged firearm
    • (2) While committed designed felony in PC 12022.53(a)
  • PC 12022.53(d) // Discharge Firearm + Designated Felony + GBI
    • (1) D personally discharged firearm
    • (2) While committed designed felony in PC 12022.53(a), PC 246, or PC 26100(c), (d)
    • (3) Proximately causes GBI or death to another person (non-accomplice)
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
  • Designated Felonies:
    • PC 187
    • PC 203 or 205
    • PC 207, 209, 209.5
    • PC 211
    • PC 215
    • PC 220
    • PC 245(d)
    • PC 261
    • PC 264.1
    • PC 286
    • PC 287 or former 288a
    • PC 288 or 288.5
    • PC 289
    • PC 4500
    • PC 4501
    • PC 4503
    • Any felony punishable by death or imprisonment in state prison for life
    • Any attempt to commit a crime listed here (EXCEPT ASSAULT)
  • Attempts. Enhancement can attach.
  • Applies even if use of firearm element of qualifying offense
  • Multiple Enhancements. Other firearm enhancements cannot also be imposed. (PC 12022.53(f).)
  • Probation. Court cannot grant. (PC 12022.53(g); PC 1203.06.)
  • Court can strike. (PC 12022.53(h).)
  • Must prove at PH
  • Conduct credits limited. PC 12022.53(i). No conduct reduction for ISL enhancement of PC 12022.53(d).
  • Court must impose, unless other section provides for greater penalty. PC 12022.53(j).
  • Can be stricken. PC 12022.53(h).
Punishment
  • PC 12022.53(b)
    • Add 10 years c/s
    • Makes serious & violent felony
    • Mandatory denial of probation
  • PC 12022.53(c)
    • Add 20 years consecutive
    • Makes serious & violent felony
    • Mandatory denial of probation
  • PC 12022.53(d)
    • Adds additional 25-life consecutive term
    • Makes serious & violent felony
    • Mandatory denial of probation
PC 12022.7(a)-(e) (Personally Inflicting GBI)
Elements
  • PC 12022.7(a) // Personally Inflict GBI
    • (1) D personally inflicted
    • (2) GBI on a person (not accomplice)
    • (3) During the crime
    • (4) Infliction of GBI not an element of offense
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
Punishment
  • PC 12022.7(a): add 3 years
  • PC 12022.7(b): add 5 years if D personally inflicts GBI causing coma or paralysis
  • PC 12022.7(c): add 5 years if victim = 70 or older
  • PC 12022.7(d): 4-5-6 additional consecutive term if V < 5 years old
  • PC 12022.7(e): 3-4-5 additional consecutive term if inflicts GBI under circumstances involving DV
  • Makes serious and violent felony
VC 23558 (DUI: Multiple Victims)
Elements
  • (1) Proximately caused bodily injury to more than one victim
  • (2) While violating VC 23153, PC 191.5, or PC 192.5(a)
Case Law/Statutes/Notes
Punishment
  • +1 year CDC for each additional victim injured
  • Max 3 added years

Miscellaneous Issues

Selecting the Triad, Enhancement Limitations
  • Selecting Triad for Enhancements (PC 1170.1.)
    • Does not specify court may consider D’s prior convictions based upon certified record w/o submitting to the jury (contrary to 1170(b)(2) allegations)
    • Does not contain a presumption in favor of lower term if one of three specified mitigants are established. (PC 1170(b), (c).)
  • Multiple enhancements on single count
    • General rule: only one weapon enhancement for single crime and only one injury enhancement, for single victim on a single crime is permitted
    • No limitation on imposition of both a weapon and injury enhancement for a single crime (except possible 654 issues & 1385(c).)
  • Enhancement Limitations
    • PC 1170.1(f) – only one weapon enhancement for single crime
      • Court does not STRIKE the extra enhancement; merely STAYS extra enhancement (Cal Rule of Ct 4.447)
    • PC 1170.1(g) – only one injury enhancement of a single victim on a single crime. Multiple injury enhancements allowed for multiple Vs on a single crime
  • Courts discretion to strike enhancements
    • PC 1385(a) – authority to dismiss in furtherance of justice
    • PC 1385(b) – if court has authority to strike or dismiss an enhancement it may instead strike the punishment in the furtherance of justice pursuant to (a)
    • PC 1385(c)
  • Dual Use of Facts
    • Can use aggravating factors relating to enhancement and aggravating factors relating to D to set the term for the enhancement
    • Can use same factor to set the term for the crime and the term for the enhancement
    • Cannot use an imposed enhancement to aggravate the base term for the crime
  • PC 654. Applies to enhancements. (People v. Ahmed (2011) 53 Cal.4th 156, 164.)
    • “When applied to multiple enhancements for a single crime, section 654 bars multiple punishment for the same aspect of a criminal act.”
PC 654

To determine if PC 654 bars multiple punishment under multiple enhancements:

  • Step 1: Is there a more specific statute?
    • If yes – no § 654 analysis (ex: 1170.1(f) or (g))
    • If no – analyze for § 654
  • Step 2: Does the enhancement go to the nature of the offender or the nature of the offense?
    • If offender – no § 654
    • If offense – analyze § 654
  • Step 3: Do the conduct enhancements in question focus on the same “aspect” of the criminal act?
    • If no – not § 654
    • If yes – § 654 (ex: 12022.7 + 23558 on same V; or multiple weapon enhancement on an ISL not governed by 1170.1)
  • PC 654 does not apply to an enhancement as it relates to the same conduct as its underlying offense. (People v. Calderon (2013) 214 Cal.App.4th 656.)
  • PC 654 may bar imposition of multiple weapon or injury enhancements applicable to an ISL term. (People v. Wong (2018) 27 Cal.App.5th 972.)