California legal term
abuse in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “abuse” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “abuse” mean in California criminal law?
“abuse” means any of the following: (a) Intentionally or recklessly to cause or attempt to cause bodily injury. (Cal. Penal Code § 16120)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.