California legal term
Forced labor or services in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Forced labor or services” 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 “Forced labor or services” mean in California criminal law?
“Forced labor or services” means labor or services that are performed or provided by a person and are obtained or maintained through force, fraud, duress, or coercion, or equivalent conduct that would reasonably overbear the will of the person. (Cal. Penal Code § 236.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.