California legal term
public entity in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “public entity” 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 “public entity” mean in California criminal law?
“public entity” means the state, federal government, a city, a county, a city and county, a joint county jail district, or any entity created as a result of a joint powers agreement between two or more public entities. (Cal. Penal Code § 289.6)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.