Chapter 6. Offenses of California Water Code >> Division 2. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 6.

Every person who wilfully and without authority opens, closes, changes, or interferes with any headgate, waterbox, or measuring device while it is under the control of the wastermaster, or who wilfully takes or uses water which has been denied him by the watermaster under the provisions of this part is guilty of a misdemeanor.

The possession or use of water when it has been so denied him by the watermaster is prima facie evidence of the guilt of the person using it.

Every person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 4100) is guilty of a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 10 days nor more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

A watermaster may arrest any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or of Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 4100) and to deliver the person to the sheriff or other competent police officer within the county, and immediately thereafter file a complaint with a magistrate against the person so arrested.