California legal term
Immediate family in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Immediate family” 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 “Immediate family” mean in California criminal law?
“Immediate family” means a spouse, parent, child, a person related by consanguinity or affinity within the second degree, or another person who regularly resides in the household, or who, within the prior six months, regularly resided in the household. (Cal. Penal Code § 146e)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.