Article 10. Penalties of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 9. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 10.

Upon the issuance of an order of the director pursuant to Section 18725, 18728, 18729, or 18730, the operator of the establishment may seek administrative review before the director by filing his written request therefor within 10 days after issuance of the order. Proceedings for such administrative review, except as provided in this section, shall be in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. The decision of the director shall be subject to judicial review pursuant to Section 11523 of the Government Code. Any order of the director issued pursuant to Section 18725, 18728, 18729, or 18730, shall remain in force during such administrative and judicial review.

Any person who is found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated under this chapter is subject to imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both such imprisonment and fine, but if the violation is committed after a conviction of such person under this section has become final, or the violation is committed with intent to defraud or mislead, the person shall be subject to imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both that imprisonment and fine.

Any person that violates any provision of this chapter, or any regulation that is issued pursuant to it, is liable civilly for a penalty not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each such violation. If the court finds that a violation of this chapter was a serious violation, or that the violation is a second or subsequent violation, the person is civilly liable for a penalty not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each violation. Any money that is received pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund, and upon appropriation by the Legislature, shall be used for the purposes described in Section 221.

(a) In lieu of any civil action brought pursuant to Section 18932.1 and in lieu of seeking prosecution pursuant to Section 18932, the secretary may levy an administrative penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) upon any person for each violation of this chapter.
  (b) Before an administrative penalty is levied, the person charged with the violation shall be given a written notice of the proposed action, including the nature of the violation and the amount of the proposed penalty, and that person shall have the right to request a hearing. The request shall be made within 20 days after the person receives notice of the proposed action. A notice of the proposed action, which shall be sent by certified mail to the last-known address of the person charged, shall be considered received even if delivery is refused or if the notice is not accepted at that address. At the hearing, the person shall be given an opportunity to review the secretary's evidence and to present evidence on his or her own behalf.
  (c) Any person upon whom an administrative penalty is levied may appeal to the department, within 20 days of the date of receiving notification of the penalty, as follows:
  (1) The appeal shall be in writing and signed by the appellant or his or her authorized agent and shall state the grounds for the appeal.
  (2) Any party, at the time of filing the appeal or within 10 days thereafter, may present written evidence and a written argument to the secretary.
  (3) The secretary may grant oral arguments upon application made at the time written arguments are made.
  (4) If an application to present an oral argument is granted, written notice of the time and place for the oral argument shall be given at least 10 days prior to the date set therefor. This time requirement may be changed upon agreement between the department and the person appealing the penalty.
  (5) The secretary shall decide the appeal based on any oral or written arguments, briefs, and evidence received.
  (6) The secretary shall render a written decision within 45 days of the date of the appeal, or within 15 days of the date of oral arguments. A copy of the department's decision shall be delivered or mailed to the appellant.
  (7) The secretary may sustain the decision, modify the decision by reducing the amount of the penalty levied, or reverse the decision.
  (8) A review of the secretary's decision may be sought by the person against whom the penalty was levied pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
  (d) After completion of the review procedure provided in this section, the secretary may file a certified copy of the secretary's final decision that directs payment of an administrative penalty and, if applicable, any order that denies a petition for a writ of administrative mandamus, with the clerk of the superior court of any county. Judgment shall be entered by the clerk in conformity with the decision or order. No fees shall be charged by the clerk of the superior court for the performance of any official service required in connection with the entry of a judgment pursuant to this section.
  (e) Any money that is received pursuant to this section, shall be deposited in the Department of Food and Agriculture Fund.

Any person who, as principal or agent, employer or employee, adulterates any meat or meat food product or poultry product intended for sale as human food with the product of an animal which has died otherwise than by slaughter or the product of an animal which has not been slaughtered under inspection in accordance with this chapter, shall be guilty of a felony punishable by a fine of not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or both that imprisonment and fine.

In addition to the remedies provided in this chapter, the department may bring an action in superior court and such court shall have jurisdiction upon hearing and for cause shown, to grant a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating any provision of this chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter. Any proceeding under the provisions of this section shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 525) of Title 7 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The department shall not, however, be required to allege facts necessary to show or tending to show lack of adequate remedy at law or to show or tending to show irreparable damage or loss. The court may require such acts or course of conduct as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring the director to report for prosecution or to institute injunction proceedings for any minor violation of this chapter whenever he believes that the public interest will be adquately served by a suitable written notice of warning, and compliance with such notice.