S.C.

Appellant S.C. was found to be a ward of the court after police discovered a switchblade knife in his pocket during a search conducted at a private residence. Appellant contends he did not violate Penal Code section 653k (hereafter section 653k), the statute governing possession of a switchblade, because he was not in a “public place or place open to the public” at the time the knife was found. Construing the language of section 653k, we conclude the statute is violated anytime a person carries a switchblade knife on his or her person, regardless of where the possession occurs. We therefore affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

On September 15, 2008, the Sonoma County District Attorney filed an amended wardship petition for appellant under Welfare and Institutions Code section 602, subdivision (a), alleging that appellant was found in possession of a switchblade knife. (§ 653k.)

Testimony at the wardship hearing demonstrated that police were called to a residence in Petaluma to investigate a possible break-in. When the first officer arrived, he found several people in the house. After questioning one of the group, the officer concluded they were there with permission. During this…