California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. Love, A152611 (Cal. App. 2019):
provides for the longest potential term of imprisonment, but in no case shall the act or omission be punished under more than one provision." ( 654, subd. (a).) " 'It has long been established that the imposition of concurrent sentences is precluded by section 654 [citations] because the defendant is deemed to be subjected to the term of both sentences although they are served simultaneously.' " (People v. Jones (2012) 54 Cal.4th 350, 353, italics omitted.)
Section 654 "precludes imposition of multiple punishments for conduct that violates more than one criminal statute but which constitutes an indivisible course of conduct. [Citation.] Penal Code section 654 serves to match a defendant's culpability with punishment. [Citation.] Whether the provision 'applies in a given case is a question of fact for the trial court, which is vested with broad latitude in making its determination. [Citations.] Its findings will not be reversed on appeal if there is any substantial evidence to support them. [Citations.] We review the trial court's determination in the light most favorable to the respondent and presume the existence of every fact the trial court could reasonably deduce from the evidence.' " (People v. Vang (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 912, 915-916.)
The above passage should not be considered legal advice. Reliable answers to complex legal questions require comprehensive research memos. To learn more visit www.alexi.com.