Civil Penalty Law & Legal Definition

Civil Penalty refers to a fine assessed for violation of a statute or regulation. It can be fines or surcharges imposed by governmental agencies for enforcing regulations. For example, late payment of taxes could lead to imposition of a civil penalty.

Example of a state statute on Civil Penalty

Cal Health & Saf Code § 42402.2; Failure to take corrective action; Falsification of documents; Civil penalties

(a) Any person who emits an air contaminant in violation of any provision of this part, or any order, rule, regulation, or permit of the state board or of a district, including a district hearing board, pertaining to emission regulations or limitations, and who knew of the emission and failed to take corrective action, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 42400.2, within a reasonable period of time under the circumstances, is liable for a civil penalty of not more than forty thousand dollars ($40,000).

(b) Any person who owns or operates any source of air contaminants in violation of Section 41700 that causes great bodily injury, as defined by Section 12022.7 of the Penal Code, to any person or that causes the death of any person, and who knew of the emission and failed to take corrective action, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 42400.2, within a reasonable period of time under the circumstances, is liable for a civil penalty not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).

(c) Each day during any portion of which a violation occurs is a separate offense.

Cal Health & Saf Code § 42402.4 Penalty for knowing falsification of document

Any person who knowingly and with intent to deceive, falsifies any document required to be kept pursuant to any provision of this part, or any rule, regulation, permit, or order of the state board or of a district, including a district hearing board, is liable for a civil penalty of not more than thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000).