California legal term
Handler in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Handler” 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 “Handler” mean in California criminal law?
“Handler” means a person who has successfully completed training on offering an animal for assistance purposes from an organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International, Therapy Dogs Incorporated, or a similar nonprofit organization, and has received additional training on policies and protocols of the court and the responsibilities of a courtroom dog handler. (Cal. Penal Code § 868.4)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.