California legal term
emergency in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “emergency” 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 “emergency” mean in California criminal law?
“emergency” means a condition or circumstance in which an individual is or is reasonably believed by the person transmitting the communication to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury, in which property is or is reasonably believed by the person transmitting the communication to be in imminent danger of extensive damage or destruction, or in which that injury or destruction has occurred and the person transmitting is attempting to summon assistance. (Cal. Penal Code § 653t)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.