Corona Municipal Code Ch. 10.47 Unlawful Possession of Catalytic Converter

(A) Unlawful possession. It shall be unlawful to possess any catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless the possessor has valid documentation or other proof to verify they are in lawful possession of the catalytic converter. It is not required to prove the catalytic converter was stolen to establish that its possession is not a lawful possession.

(B) Seizure as evidence. Upon discovery, any law enforcement officer may seize a catalytic converter that is not in an individual’s lawful possession and return such property pursuant to the police department’s policies and procedures for criminal evidence. If a victim or owner of the stolen property is located, the property will be returned to them pursuant to the police department’s policies and procedures.

(Ord. 3364 § 1 (part), 2023.)

Unless the context of a particular provision otherwise requires, the definitions provided in this section shall govern the construction, meaning, and application of words and phrases used in this chapter.

(A) “Lawful possession” shall mean being the lawful owner of the catalytic converter, or in possession of the catalytic converter with the lawful owner’s written consent.

(B) “Documentation or other proof” shall mean written document(s) that clearly identify the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated, including, but not limited to, the following document types: bill of sale from the original owner with photographs, documentation from an auto body shop proving the owner relinquished the catalytic converter to the auto body shop, verifiable electronic communication from the previous owner to the possessor relinquishing ownership of the catalytic converter, photographs of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter originated, vehicle registration associated with a catalytic converter that contains an etched associated license plate number or vehicle identification number. The validity of ‘documentation or other proof’ is based on the totality of the circumstances.

(Ord. 3364 § 1 (part), 2023.)

(A) Violations. Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to the authority provided for in § 1.08.025 of this code for the citing official or City Attorney to cite or prosecute an offense as an infraction, the court may determine that the offense is an infraction, in which event the case shall proceed as if the defendant has been arraigned on an infraction complaint.

(B) Penalties. Any person who violates any section of this chapter may be punished as provided for in Chapter 1.08 of this code.

(C) Separate offenses. Each and every violation of this section, including each and every catalytic converter unlawfully possessed, shall constitute a separate violation and shall be subject to all enforcement measures and remedies authorized by this code.

(D) Alternative remedies. The remedies provided herein are not to be construed as exclusive remedies. The city is authorized to pursue any proceedings or remedies provided by law including, but not limited to, the issuance of administrative penalties pursuant to §§ 1.08.130 et seq. of this code. All such remedies may be pursued individually, consecutively, or in conjunction with each other.

(Ord. 3364 § 1 (part), 2023.)