CALCRIM No. 1807. Theft From Elder or Dependent Adult (Pen. Code, § 368(d), (e))
Judicial Council of California Criminal Jury Instructions (2025 edition)
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1807.Theft From Elder or Dependent Adult (Pen. Code, § 368(d),
(e))
The defendant is charged [in Count ] with theft of property from
(an elder/a dependent adult) [in violation of Penal Code section 368].
To prove that the defendant is guilty of this crime, the People must
prove that:
1. The defendant committed (theft[,]/ embezzlement[,]/ forgery[,]/
fraud[,]/ [or] identity theft);
2. The (property taken/ [or] personal identifying information used)
was (owned by/that of) (an elder/a dependent adult);
<Do not give element 3 in misdemeanor cases where the value is $950 or
less.>
3. [The property, goods, or services obtained was worth more than
$950;]
AND
<Alternative 4A - defendant not caretaker>
[4. The defendant knew or reasonably should have known that the
(owner of the property/person to whom the identifying
information belonged) was (an elder/a dependent adult).]
[OR]
<Alternative 4B - defendant caretaker>
[4. The defendant was a caretaker of the (elder/dependent adult).]
To decide whether the defendant committed (theft[,]/ embezzlement[,]/
forgery[,]/ fraud[,]/ [or] identity theft), please refer to the separate
instructions that I (will give/have given) you on (that/those) crime[s].
[An elder is someone who is at least 65 years old.]
[A dependent adult is someone who is between 18 and 64 years old and
has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry
out normal activities or to protect his or her rights.] [This definition
includes an adult who has physical or developmental disabilities or
whose physical or mental abilities have decreased because of age.] [A
dependent adult is also someone between 18 and 64 years old who is an
inpatient in a [psychiatric] health facility [or chemical dependency
recovery hospital/ or <insert relevant type of health facility
from Health & Saf. Code, § 1250>] that provides 24-hour inpatient care.]
[A caretaker is someone who has the care, custody, or control of (a/an)
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(elder/dependent adult), or is someone who stands in a position of trust
with (a/an) (elder/dependent adult).]
[Property includes money, labor, or real or personal property.]
[Under the law, a person becomes one year older as soon as the first
minute of his or her birthday has begun.]
New January 2006; Revised February 2012, February 2013, October 2021, March
2024*
* Denotes changes only to bench notes and other commentaries.
BENCH NOTES
Instructional Duty
The court has a sua sponte duty to give an instruction defining the elements of the
crime. The court also has a sua sponte duty to instruct on the elements of the
underlying theft offense.
If the defendant is charged with taking property valued at more than $950 (see Pen.
Code, § 368(d), (e)), give element 3.
If the person charged is not alleged to be a caretaker (see Pen. Code, § 368(i)), give
alternative 4A. If the person charged stipulated to be a caretaker, give alternative
4B. If it is in dispute whether the person charged is a caretaker, give both
alternatives 4A and 4B and the bracketed paragraph defining caretaker.
Give the bracketed definition of “elder” or “dependent adult” (see Pen. Code,
§ 368(g), (h)) on request depending on the evidence in the case. Give the second
and/or third bracketed sentences of the definition of “dependent adult” if a further
definition is requested.
The definition of “property” may be given on request. (See Pen. Code, § 368(d),
(e).)
Give the final bracketed paragraph about calculating age if requested. (Fam. Code,
§ 6500; In re Harris (1993) 5 Cal.4th 813, 849-850 [21 Cal.Rptr.2d 373, 855 P.2d
391].)
AUTHORITY
• Elements. Pen. Code, § 368(d), (e).
• “Caretaker” Defined. Pen. Code, § 368(i).
• “Dependent Adult” Defined. Pen. Code, § 368(h).
• “Elder” Defined. Pen. Code, § 368(g).
• 24-Hour Health Facility. Health & Saf. Code, §§ 1250, 1250.2, 1250.3.
• Felony Value Threshold Applies to Identity Theft. People v. Baratang (2020) 56
Cal.App.5th 252, 260-263 [270 Cal.Rptr.3d 280].
• Noncaretaker Status Not an Element of Pen. Code, § 368(d). People v. Marquez
THEFT AND EXTORTION CALCRIM No. 1807
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(2023) 89 Cal.App.5th 1212, 1221-1222 [306 Cal.Rptr.3d 664].
LESSER INCLUDED OFFENSES
• Attempted Theft From Elder or Dependent Adult. Pen. Code, §§ 664, 368(d), (e).
• Theft. Pen. Code, § 484.
SECONDARY SOURCES
2 Witkin & Epstein, California Criminal Law (4th ed. 2012) Sex Offenses and
Crimes Against Decency, §§ 179-184.
6 Millman, Sevilla & Tarlow, California Criminal Defense Practice, Ch. 143, Crimes
Against Property, § 143.01[1], [4][h] (Matthew Bender).
1808-1819. Reserved for Future Use
CALCRIM No. 1807 THEFT AND EXTORTION
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© Judicial Council of California.
