California legal term
Commercial sex act in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Commercial sex act” 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 “Commercial sex act” mean in California criminal law?
“Commercial sex act” means sexual conduct on account of which anything of value is given or received by a person. (Cal. Penal Code § 236.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.