California criminal law creates a special category of the crime of California battery when it is committed against a peace officer or member of another protected profession.
Specifically, Penal Code 243(b) & 243(c) PC define the crime of “battery on a peace / police officer.” You commit this crime if:
- You willfully and unlawfully touch someone in a harmful or offensive manner;
- The victim is a peace officer or other protected person engaged in the performance of his/her duties; and
- When you committed the battery, you knew or reasonably should have known that s/he was a peace officer or other protected person performing his/her duties.
Penalties
Battery on a peace / police officer is typically a misdemeanor in California law. The potential penalties are up to one year in county jail, and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
But if the battery causes an injury requiring medical treatment, then this crime becomes a wobbler (that is, a crime that may be charged as a misdemeanor or a California felony).
If it is charged as a felony, battery on a peace officer carries a potential sentence of sixteen months, two or three years in county jail, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
http://www.shouselaw.com/battery-po.html