California legal term
body piercing in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “body piercing” 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 “body piercing” mean in California criminal law?
“body piercing” means the creation of an opening in the body of a human being for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration, including, but not limited to, the piercing of a lip, tongue, nose, or eyebrow. “Body piercing” does not include the piercing of an ear. (Cal. Penal Code § 652)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.