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California legal term

Incarcerated adult in California Criminal Law

Current through 2026 California legislative session

In California criminal law, “Incarcerated adult” 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 “Incarcerated adult” mean in California criminal law?

“Incarcerated adult” means a person who is 18 years of age or older, not subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, and has been arrested and is in custody for, or awaiting trial on, a criminal charge, or has been convicted of a criminal offense, and is not a juvenile defined under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1). (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 208.55)

Statutes defining or using this term

Related terms in the same statutes

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.