Morrison

People v. Morrison

Good Law
120 Cal. Rptr. 3d 502·191 Cal. App. 4th 1551·2011 Cal. App. LEXIS 79
Court of Appeal of CaliforniaJanuary 25, 2011No. B221598California2,069 words

Opinion

Lead Opinion

Coffee, J.

Penal Code section 134 makes it a felony to prepare false evidence with intent that it be produced “upon any trial, proceeding, or inquiry whatever, authorized by law.” 1 Here, we conclude that the statute is violated by a probationer who prepares a false urine sample with intent to produce it to his probation officer during court-ordered drug testing. Court-ordered probation drug testing is an “inquiry . . . authorized by law” within the meaning of the statute. (Ibid.)

William Tyndall Morrison appeals from a judgment after conviction by jury of preparing false evidence in violation of section 134. The trial court sentenced him to eight months in state prison, 2 suspended his sentence and granted him a five-year term of probation.

Appellant contends that section 134 does not apply to a probationer who provides a falsified urine sample to his probation officer if he provides it with intent to avoid a hearing. Alternatively, appellant contends that the trial court invaded the role of the jury when it instructed the jury that probation drug testing is an “inquiry authorized by law” and a probation revocation hearing is a “proceeding or inquiry authorized by law,” within…

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