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California legal term

Contact with the victim in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Contact with the victim” 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 “Contact with the victim” mean in California criminal law?

“Contact with the victim” includes all physical contact, being in the presence of the victim, communicating by any means, including by a third party acting on behalf of the defendant, or sending any gifts. (Cal. Penal Code § 1203.066)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.