California legal term
Express consent in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Express consent” 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 “Express consent” mean in California criminal law?
“Express consent” means oral or written permission that is positive, direct, and unequivocal, requiring no inference or implication to supply its meaning. (Cal. Penal Code § 272)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.