Section 804.
Cal. Penal Code - PEN § 804.
in effectExcept as otherwise provided in this chapter, for the purpose of this chapter, prosecution for an offense is commenced when any of the following occurs:
(a)
An indictment or information is filed.
(b)
A complaint is filed charging a misdemeanor or infraction.
(c)
The defendant is arraigned on a complaint that charges the defendant with a felony.
(d)
An arrest warrant or bench warrant is issued, provided the warrant names or describes the defendant with the same degree of particularity required for an indictment, information, or complaint.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026