California legal term
Hazing in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Hazing” 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 “Hazing” mean in California criminal law?
“Hazing” means any method of initiation or preinitiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university, or other educational institution in this state. (Cal. Penal Code § 245.6)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.