California legal term
Indian child in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Indian child” 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 “Indian child” mean in California criminal law?
“Indian child” means all of the following: (1) Any unmarried person who is under 18 years of age and who is either of the following: (A) A member or citizen of an Indian tribe. (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 224.1)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.