What is the potential civil penalty for a Notary Public who fails to provide their journal to a peace officer?

The potential civil penalty for a Notary Public who fails to provide their journal to a peace officer is indeed $2,500. This high penalty underscores the importance placed on the record-keeping responsibilities of a Notary Public. The journal is a critical document that serves as a legal record of all notarizations performed, and providing it to law enforcement upon request is vital for the integrity of legal processes.

The civil penalty reflects California's commitment to ensuring that Notaries adhere to their professional obligations and maintain transparency in their activities. This helps protect the public from fraud and reinforces the accountability of Notaries. Other amounts listed do not reflect the statutory requirements and penalties set forth, thus highlighting the severity of not complying with this regulation.