California legal term
arrest in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “arrest” 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 “arrest” mean in California criminal law?
“arrest” includes a hold placed on the defendant in the underlying case while he or she is in custody on other charges. (Cal. Penal Code § 1305)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.