California legal term
member of the public in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “member of the public” 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 “member of the public” mean in California criminal law?
“member of the public” means any person not employed by the officer’s employing agency and includes any participant in a cadet, explorer, or other youth program affiliated with the agency. (Cal. Penal Code § 832.7)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.