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California legal term

criminalistics laboratory in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “criminalistics laboratory” 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 “criminalistics laboratory” mean in California criminal law?

“criminalistics laboratory” means a laboratory operated by, or under contract with, a city, county, or other public agency, including a criminalistics laboratory of the Department of Justice, (1) which has not less than one regularly employed forensic scientist engaged in the analysis of solid-dose controlled substances, and (2) which is registered as an analytical laboratory with the Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States Department of Justice for the possession of all scheduled controlled substances. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11372.5)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.