California legal term
first time in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “first time” 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 “first time” mean in California criminal law?
“first time” means the initial occurrence in which a health care practitioner, in their role as a health care practitioner, intends to prescribe, order, administer, or furnish a Schedule II, Schedule III, or Schedule IV controlled substance to a patient and has not previously prescribed a controlled substance to the patient. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11165.4)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.