California legal term
Laws of the United States in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Laws of the United States” 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 “Laws of the United States” mean in California criminal law?
“Laws of the United States” means: (1) those laws of the United States passed by Congress pursuant to authority given to Congress by the Constitution of the United States where the laws of the United States are controlling, and (2) those laws of the United States not controlling the several States of the United States but which are not in conflict with the provisions of this chapter. (Cal. Penal Code § 1548)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.