California legal term
Dependent person in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Dependent person” 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 “Dependent person” mean in California criminal law?
“Dependent person” means a person, regardless of whether the person lives independently, who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially restricts his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities or whose physical or mental abilities have significantly diminished because of age. “Dependent person” includes a person who is admitted as an inpatient to a 24-hour health facility, as defined in Sections 1250, 1250.2, and 1250.3 of the Health and Safety Code. (Cal. Penal Code § 288)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.