Lambert v. California

355 U.S. 225 (1957)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

In Los Angeles, there is an ordinance requiring that a person must report any previous felony convictions to the Chief of Police if he is in the city for more than five days (Code 52.39) or if the person comes into the city five times or more within a 30-day period. The statute makes each day’s failure to register a separate offense. Lambert (D) was arrested on suspicion of another act and was also charged with not registering with the police station. P had been in Los Angeles for more than seven years. During that time, she had been convicted of forgery. D asserted a denial of due process of law. The trial court denied this objection. The case was tried to a jury which found D guilty. The court fined her $250 and placed her on probation for three years. D moved for arrest of judgment and a new trial. This motion was denied. D appealed. The Appellate Department of the Superior Court affirmed the judgment, holding there was no merit to the claim that the ordinance was unconstitutional.