Section 1387.
Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 1387.
in effect(a)
An order terminating an action pursuant to this chapter, or Section 859b, 861, 871, or 995, is a bar to any other prosecution for the same offense if it is a felony or if it is a misdemeanor charged together with a felony and the action has been previously terminated pursuant to this chapter, or Section 859b, 861, 871, or 995, or if it is a misdemeanor not charged together with a felony, except in those felony cases, or those cases where a misdemeanor is charged with a felony, where subsequent to the dismissal of the felony or misdemeanor the judge or magistrate finds any of the following:
(1)
That substantial new evidence has been discovered by the prosecution that would not have been known through the exercise of due diligence at, or prior to, the time of
termination of the action.
(2)
That the termination of the action was the result of the direct intimidation of a material witness, as shown by a preponderance of the evidence.
(3)
That the termination of the action was the result of the failure to appear by the complaining witness, who had been personally subpoenaed in a prosecution arising under subdivision (e) of Section 243, or Section 273.5, 273.6, or 261, where the complaining witness is the spouse of the defendant, or former Section 262. This paragraph shall apply only within six months of the original dismissal of the action, and may be invoked only once in each action. This section does not preclude a defendant from being eligible for diversion.
(4)
That the termination of the action was the result of the complaining witness being found in contempt of court
as described in subdivision (b) of Section 1219 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This paragraph shall apply only within six months of the original dismissal of the action, and may be invoked only once in each action.
(b)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an order terminating an action pursuant to this chapter is not a bar to another prosecution for the same offense if it is a misdemeanor charging an offense based on an act of domestic violence, as defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 13700, and the termination of the action was the result of the failure to appear by the complaining witness, who had been personally subpoenaed. This subdivision shall apply only within six months of the original dismissal of the action, and may be invoked only once in each action. This subdivision does not preclude a defendant from being eligible for diversion.
(c)
An order terminating an
action is not a bar to prosecution if a complaint is dismissed before the commencement of a preliminary hearing in favor of an indictment filed pursuant to Section 944 and the indictment is based upon the same subject matter as charged in the dismissed complaint, information, or indictment.
However, if the previous termination was pursuant to Section 859b, 861, 871, or 995, the subsequent order terminating an action is not a bar to prosecution if:
(1)
Good cause is shown why the preliminary examination was not held within 60 days from the date of arraignment or plea.
(2)
The motion pursuant to Section 995 was granted because of any of the following reasons:
(A)
Present insanity of the defendant.
(B)
A lack of
counsel after the defendant elected to self-represent rather than being represented by appointed counsel.
(C)
Ineffective assistance of counsel.
(D)
Conflict of interest of defense counsel.
(E)
Violation of time deadlines based upon unavailability of defense counsel.
(F)
Defendant’s motion to withdraw a waiver of the preliminary examination.
(3)
The motion pursuant to Section 995 was granted after dismissal by the magistrate of the action pursuant to Section 871 and was recharged pursuant to Section 739.
References
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 859b.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 243.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 273.5.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 262.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 1219.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 13700.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 944.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 995.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 871.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 739.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026