California legal term
Prior victimization in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Prior victimization” 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 “Prior victimization” mean in California criminal law?
“Prior victimization” means the person was a victim of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or human trafficking, or the person has experienced psychological or physical trauma, including, but not limited to, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or sexual violence. (Cal. Penal Code § 1385)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.