California legal term
Child abuse in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Child 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 “Child abuse” mean in California criminal law?
“Child abuse” has the same meaning as defined in Section 18951. (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 830)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.