California legal term
Public place in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Public place” 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 place” mean in California criminal law?
“Public place” means an area open to the public or exposed to public view and includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots, automobiles, whether moving or not, and buildings open to the general public, including those which serve food or drink, or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11530)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.