California legal term
criminal street gang in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “criminal street gang” 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 “criminal street gang” mean in California criminal law?
“criminal street gang” means an ongoing, organized association or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts enumerated in subdivision (e), having a common name or common identifying sign or symbol, and whose members collectively engage in, or have engaged in, a pattern of criminal gang activity. (Cal. Penal Code § 186.22)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.