People v. Clark

Opinion

BUCKLEY, J.

In a case of first impression, we hold in the published part of this opinion that possession of a counterfeit bank bill does not constitute possession of a thing made use of in counterfeiting within the meaning of Penal Code section 480. 1

The Facts

On July 12, 1990, defendant attempted to purchase beer from a market in Ridgecrest with a suspiciously blurred $20 bill which looked like play money. Tender of the bill was rejected by the clerk; defendant asked for the return of the bill, saying that he wanted to keep it as a souvenir.

Before defendant drove away, a market employee…