California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 18124

The department, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or any regularly employed and salaried police officer or deputy sheriff, or any reserve police officer or reserve deputy sheriff, may take possession of any certificate, card, permit, transportation decal, or registration decal issued under this part which has expired, been revoked, canceled, or suspended; which is fictitious, or which has been unlawfully or erroneously issued or affixed.

This section shall not be applicable to any insignia issued pursuant to Section 18026 or to any manufactured home or mobilehome label issued pursuant to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 5401 et seq.).

Any document or decal seized shall be expeditiously delivered to the department with a brief written explanation of the circumstances.