Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in California

Re: Prohibition of wearing masks or face covering in public

Former Penal Code section 650a criminalized public mask-wearing. However, in 1978, a court ruled that such a prohibition was unconstitutional. Current Penal Code section 185 states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to wear any mask, false whiskers, or any personal disguise (whether complete or partial) for the purpose of: One--Evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in the commission of any public offense. Two--Concealment, flight, or escape, when charged with, arrested for, or convicted of, any public offense. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor."

Re: Prohibition of wearing masks or face covering in public

As attorney Cohen pointed out, it's legal to wear masks in California unless you are committing or evading detection for a crime. But here the police might use your masked status as an excuse to shoot you dead. In Virginia the cops would probably just say, "Hail fellow Klansman."