Article 10. Violations And Penalties of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 9. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 4.1. >> Article 10.

The director may, after a hearing conducted pursuant to Section 11346.8 of the Government Code, refuse to issue a license or renew a license and may revoke or suspend any license for any violation of or failure to comply with any provision of this chapter or any of the regulations thereunder. However, if the director finds evidence of willful or repeated violations, he or she may immediately suspend the license pending a final disposition of the matter.

A violation of the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor.

Any person that violates any provision of this chapter, or any regulation that is issued pursuant to it, is liable civilly for a penalty in an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each such violation. If the court finds that the violation of this chapter was a serious violation, or that the violation is a second or subsequent violation, the person is liable civilly for a penalty not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for each such violation.

The Attorney General shall, upon complaint by the director, or may upon his or her own initiative, if after examination of the complaint and evidence he or she believes a violation has occurred, bring an action for civil penalties in the name of the people of this state in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state against any person violating any provision of this chapter.

(a) In lieu of any civil action brought pursuant to Section 19032 and in lieu of seeking prosecution pursuant to Section 19031, 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 department'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 secretary, 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 secretary 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 secretary'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 department'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.

In addition to the remedies provided in this chapter, the department may bring an action in superior court and the 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.

It is unlawful for any person to slaughter any livestock or prepare any such livestock products which are appropriate for use as human food at any custom livestock slaughterhouse or retail processing establishment except in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

It is unlawful for any person to do with respect to any livestock which is appropriate for use as human food, any act, while it is being transported or held in storage after the transportation, which is intended to cause or has the effect of causing it to be adulterated.

It is unlawful for any person to violate any provision of the regulations promulgated by the director which are applicable to this chapter.

It is unlawful for any person knowingly to represent that an article has been examined by a licensed livestock meat inspector, licensed processing inspector, or department inspector or exempted under this chapter when in fact it has respectively not been so examined or exempted.

It is unlawful for any person to assault, resist, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any person while engaged in the performance of duties under this chapter.