Court Opinion

ID: 9633969
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 12:10:00.460347+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:25:31.501944
License: Public Domain

MOSK, J.
I concur in the judgment.
I agree with much the majority say. An “unlawful act, not amounting to felony” under Penal Code section 192, subdivision (c)(1), need not be a *991misdemeanor or infraction that is inherently dangerous in the abstract to human life or safety; it may also be one that is dangerous in its commission. I believe this conclusion is compelled by our decision in People v. Stuart (1956) 47 Cal.2d 167 [302 P.2d 5, 55 A.L.R.2d 705]. In my view, the majority’s analysis of Stuart (maj. opn., ante, at pp. 986-988, & fns. 6 & 7) is irrefutable.
I do not agree, however, with the majority’s suggestion that the unlawful act must be dangerous in its commission as opposed to dangerous in itself. It is confusing. It is also wrong.
Because the Court of Appeal prejudicially erred in holding that under Penal Code section 192, subdivision (c)(1), the underlying misdemeanor offense must in all cases be one that is inherently dangerous in the abstract, its judgment must be reversed.