Penal Code § 17500 PC – Possession of a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Assault

California takes possession of a deadly weapon very seriously, especially when prosecutors believe someone carried that weapon to hurt another person. 

The language of the code section reads:

 “Every person having upon the person any deadly weapon, with intent to assault another, is guilty of a misdemeanor.” In other words, simply holding a knife, gun, or other instrument becomes a crime the moment the carrier forms an intent to assault another individual. A conviction may carry up to six months in county jail, summary probation, and a criminal record that obstructs jobs, licenses, and immigration status.

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What Is Possession of a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Assault?

The two components of the crime are (1) carrying a lethal weapon on your person and (2) having the intent to assault someone else, according to Penal Code 17500 (commonly abbreviated as “PC 17500” or just “17500”). The instant prosecutors can demonstrate that you had the item and intended to use it to do physical harm, the crime is committed, regardless of whether you actually swing the bat, brandish the dagger, or pull the trigger. Ordinary objects, like a screwdriver, bottle, or even a big dog chain, can “count as a deadly weapon” if the prosecutor can persuade the jury that you intended to use the item to do injury, since the statute is designed to prohibit violence.

If you intend to employ anything that is easily utilized or naturally harmful, including firearms, switchblades, or homemade tools, it is illegal in California. Examples of surrounding information that could be used to infer that intent include verbal threats, clenched fists, previous arguments, or the way you carried the weapon (e.g., concealed in a waistband, not kept safely). Text messages or posts on social media might also provide evidence that the person brandishing the weapon plans to start a fight. Instead of using an eyewitness to the planned assault, prosecutors may use circumstantial evidence to establish their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Qualifies as a “Deadly Weapon”?

California courts define a deadly weapon as any object that can cause serious bodily injury or death, either because it is inherently deadly or used in a way likely to inflict harm. Common examples include:

  1. Guns – pistols, rifles, shotguns, even unloaded firearms if used as bludgeons.
  2. Knives – switchblades, kitchen knives, dirks, daggers, box-cutters.
  3. Brass knuckles – metal or hard plastic fist weapons designed to concentrate force.
  4. Clubs, bats, tire irons, broken bottles, and other objects that “could be considered a deadly” instrument when wielded to strike.
  5. Tools like screwdrivers or hammers are used when the person carrying the weapon plans to stab or bludgeon.

Anything “capable of producing” serious harm could be considered a deadly weapon—the facts of the case and the context drive the decision.

Intent to Assault – How Prosecutors Prove It

To convict you of violating PC 17500, the prosecutor must prove three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  1. You carried a deadly weapon or had one on your person (actual possession).
  2. You knew you possessed the weapon; no accidental stowaways.
  3. You had the intention of using that weapon to cause serious bodily harm to another person.

Intent is often inferred from surrounding facts: angry threats, prior fights, distance to the alleged victim, or text messages planning an altercation. Because proving intent can be difficult for prosecutors, a strong criminal defense attorney can punch holes in assumptions and keep jurors from making leaps.

What Are the Penalties for Violating PC 17500?

California Penal Code 17500 PC makes it a misdemeanor crime to have possession of deadly weapon with the intent to assault another. Possible outcomes include:

  • Up to six months in county jail (no mandatory minimum jail term, but some judges impose time).
  • A fine up to $1,000.
  • Summary probation instead of jail time, often with counseling, community service, or a weapons class.
  • Confiscation of the weapon.
  • A restraining order or suspending, or revoking firearms rights in more serious cases.
  • Immigration consequences for non-citizens. Serious felony crimes can trigger removal, but even a misdemeanor may cause issues.

A second arrest, use of the weapon, or related felony counts (such as assault with a deadly weapon) can drastically elevate punishment.

Legal Defenses to PC 17500 Charges

A dedicated criminal defense team will examine every angle to dismantle the state’s theory. Four of the most effective strategies include:

No Intent to Assault

Carrying a pocketknife for camping, a bat for softball practice, or a registered pistol for lawful self-protection is not criminal. If we show you had the weapon for innocent reasons (no threats, no stalking, no hostile approach), the prosecutor cannot sustain the charge of deadly weapon to assault.

The Object Was Not a Deadly Weapon

The law makes it illegal only when the object in question can count as lethal. We may argue that an item was a work tool, a lightweight replica, or too dull to inflict serious damage. Photographs, expert testimony, and demonstrations can persuade a jury that the weapon was not deadly under statutory standards.

Lack of Knowledge or Possession

Maybe the weapon sat under a passenger seat, tucked into someone else’s backpack. If you never knew you had a deadly weapon, or it belonged to a third party, the intent of assaulting another person evaporates.

You Had Constructive Possession (Not Actual Possession) of the Deadly Weapon

Constructive possession means you had the right to control the weapon, even if it was not on your body. For instance, a crowbar in your trunk. If multiple people had equal access, or the trunk was locked away from you, we would create reasonable doubt about dominion and control.

Related Charges and Lesser Offenses

California prosecutors often “stack” counts. Additional or alternative allegations include:

Negotiating for a lesser plea bargain, such as brandishing, can reduce jail exposure and protect professional licenses.

Free Consultation – Contact Our Deadly Weapon Defense Attorney Today

An arrest for PC 17500 possessing a deadly weapon can upend your life in a single afternoon. Police seize your property, employers panic, and court notices arrive fast. Our California criminal defense team steps in immediately:

  • Rapid response. We visit clients in jail, verify bail, and challenge probable cause at the first hearing.
  • Evidence lockdown. Surveillance video and body-cam footage disappear quickly. We file motions to preserve every frame.
  • Context matters. Maybe you grabbed the knife to protect yourself or others from imminent harm. Maybe an ex exaggerated an argument. We gather statements, GPS data, and phone records to reveal the full picture.
  • Skilled negotiation. Courts often impose summary probation instead of jail for first-time defendants. We highlight employment, family ties, and community service to secure alternatives, including anger-management or weapons-safety courses.
  • Trial-ready defense. When the prosecutor must prove intent, we confront each witness on inconsistent stories, motive, lighting, and distance. Jurors learn that “holding the weapon” does not equal an attack plan.

Whether you face a misdemeanor under PC 17500 or the DA threatens to add charged as felony enhancements, we are prepared to fight. Call at (888) 702-8845 or use our encrypted form for a free, confidential case review. Let our criminal defense lawyers safeguard your future, because one misunderstanding should not label you violent for life.