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California legal term

child protective agency in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “child protective agency” 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 protective agency” mean in California criminal law?

“child protective agency” means a police or sheriff’s department, a county probation department, or a county welfare department. (Cal. Penal Code § 270.5)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.