In any prosecution charging a violation within any unit of the state park system of the rules and regulations of the department, Section 655.2 or Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 650) of Division 3 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, or the rules and regulations of the Division of Boating and Waterways within the department, proof by the people of the State of California that the vehicle or vessel described in the complaint was parked or placed in violation of any provision of these statutes or rules and regulations together with proof that the defendant named in the complaint was, at the time of the parking or placing, the registered owner of the vehicle or vessel, shall constitute prima facie evidence that the registered owner of the vehicle or vessel was the person who parked or placed the vehicle or vessel at the point where, and for the time during which, the violation occurred, but the proof that a person is the registered owner of a vehicle or vessel is not prima facie evidence that the person has violated any other provision of law. The above provisions shall apply only when there has been compliance with the procedure required by Article 3 (commencing with Section 40200) of Chapter 1 of Division 17 of the Vehicle Code. Proof of a written lease of, or rental agreement for, a particular vehicle or vessel described in the complaint, on the date and time of the violation, which lease or rental agreement includes the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle or vessel is leased or rented, shall rebut the prima facie evidence that the registered owner was the person who parked or placed the vehicle at the time and place where the violation occurred.
Any charge under this section shall be dismissed when the person charged has made a bona fide sale or transfer of the vehicle or vessel and has delivered possession thereof to the purchaser and has complied with the requirements of subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 5602 of the Vehicle Code or with Section 710 of the Harbors and Navigation Code prior to the date of the alleged violation and has advised the court of the name and address of the purchaser.
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 113, Sec. 5. (AB 1528) Effective January 1, 2016.)