Lasers and the Law – California Penal Code Section 417.25

Timothy Allen, age 39 of El Cajon, was sentenced for pointing a laser at a San Diego Police Helicopter last November. Allen recently plead guilty to pointing the laser at the aircraft along with some other unrelated charges last month. He received an 8 month jail sentence for the laser incident, as reported by San Diego 10 News. According to pilots, lasers can be very damaging to their ability to land a plane or aircraft. The laser can actually prevent them from seeing anything, including runways, when landing.

Under California Penal Code Section 417.25, every person who aims or points a laser scope, or a laser pointer at another person in a threatening manner with the specific intent to cause a reasonable person fear of bodily harm is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to 30 days. If the laser is pointed towards a police officer, the penalty can increase. See California Penal Code Section 417.26.

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